Giannis Antetokounmpo Or Not, Shaquille O'Neal Says Miami Heat Are Hard To Beat When Jimmy Butler Plays Like This

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler had 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting in the first half tonight against Milwaukee Bucks

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler had arguably the best half of his career Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Butler finished with 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting, helping the Heat to a 13-point, halftime lead. The performance drew the praise of TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal during the TNT broadcast, especially because he and co-host Charles Barkley picked against the Heat. 

"Usually, when he gets in the lane, he looks for a better shot," O'Neal said. "Today, he's saying, `I'm gonna be aggressive. Everybody is taking us lightly. Shaq and Chuck think we're going to get swept. I'm going to work."' 

O'Neal said the Heat are a much different team when Butler plays like this. 

"When he's playing like this and they compete, they're hard to beat," O'Neal said.  

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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