Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight against the Chicago Bulls? | December 20th, 2022 | 2022-23 NBA Season

Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler has been listed as out for Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls. Due to gastrointestinal illness, Butler has been ruled out and won't be available to play tonight, according to ESPN's Marc Spears.

This marks Butler's 11th missed game this season. So far, he's been inconsistent in the Heat's lineup, which has caused the team to have an underwhelming season. Miami (16-15) has won four straight games and has gone 9-4 since the Heat were 7-11 on Nov. 21.

Butler is averaging 21.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 52.9%, including 36.6% from long distance. He played 57 of 82 games as the Heat went 53-29 to finish first in the Eastern Conference last season. Miami is 11-9 with Butler in the lineup and 5-5 without him this season.

So far, he's only played 20 games this season, which isn't much. The team needs him to be available, as he's their on-court leader.

Butler was listed as out when the Heat played against the San Antonio Spurs as the team responded to receiving a fine by putting all of their players on the injury report. Still, the six-time All-Star played against the Spurs in Mexico City, leading the way with 26 points in a 111-101 victory on Saturday.

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Jimmy Butler has been effective in the Heat's recent games

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat

Butler isn't a high-scoring star. He tends to settle for around 20 or less points sometimes, which is often effective. The same can be said for the Heat's last six games, in which he averaged 24.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 5.6 apg. Butler also averaged 2.4 steals, giving the team a boost on the defensive end. He's a five-time All-Defensive team selection, and he led the league in steals in 2020-21.

The Heat have moved up to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

Butler's play this season is vital to Miami's success in the postseason. They want to be in a situation where they'll have home-court advantage in the playoffs. Miami and the Boston Celtics went seven games in the Eastern Conference finals last season, but the Heat lost Game 7 at home 100-96.