Dub Hub: Jimmy Butler says he ‘got his joy back’ after Warriors win Game 4 vs. Rockets

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, April 29th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Jimmy Butler says playing with the Warriors “got his joy back” after Tuesday night’s 109-106 Game 4 victory.
• Steph Curry says technical he received for taunting Dillon Brooks was “stupid.”
• Cavs sweep the Heat after winning Game 4 by a 55-point margin.

A lot was made about Jimmy Butler’s dramatic exit from the Miami Heat back in February. But just a few months later, the six-time All-Star is smiling again—this time with the Golden State Warriors, helping them celebrate a gritty 109-106 Game 4 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

Despite battling through a lingering pelvis contusion, Butler rose to the occasion when the team needed him most—playing the entire fourth quarter and scoring 14 of his team-high 27 points down the stretch. He also came up with the game sealing rebound to help Golden State secure the win.

After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised the team’s culture for embracing Butler from the moment he joined the squad.

Now up 3-1 in the series, the Dubs are one win away from advancing to the next round—powered by a rejuvenated Butler, who’s once again finding joy in the postseason spotlight alongside his Warriors teammates.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, April 29th:

Warriors News:

Hobbled Jimmy Butler is ‘back in a big way’ as Warriors send Rockets to the brink | The Athletic

“My rebound!” he yelled toward the Warriors’ bench after getting it.

“I looked up, and I thought it was (Jonathan) Kuminga out there flying,” Green said. “It was Jimmy.”

“Just looked like he was in slow motion,” Kerr said. “Just the elevation. Looked to me like he was just head and shoulders above everybody.”

“I told Dray, if you get a stop, I will get the rebound,” Butler said. “He got the stop, and I got the rebound.”

Jimmy Butler: “I don’t like Dillon Brooks”

Steph Curry comments on the technical he received in Game 4: “That was so stupid”

Draymond keeps emotions in check to make Warriors’ Game 4-winning play | NBC Sports Bay Area

In Green’s mind, it was well worth the risk of picking up his sixth and final foul rather than alter his game because of the situation.

“Just not pick up a cheap one, but I’m never going to be one of the guys that just because you got five [fouls] you don’t defend,” Green said after the Warriors’ 109-106 Game 4 win over the Houston Rockets. “I feel very confident in my defensive ability to defend without fouling. In that situation, you have to make sure your fundamentals are clean. That’s what I try to do.”

Butler reluctantly praises Hield, jokes he ‘stinks’ after Game 4 win | NBC Sports Bay Area

“I hate to give Buddy a compliment, so I’m not going to,” Butler jokes with reporters after Golden State’s 109-106 win.

The banter’s difference this time, however, was that Butler begrudgingly praised Hield’s output in what was a tense Game 4.

It didn’t last long, however.

“But, No. 7 on our team really brought the defensive mentality tonight, made some big shots and he stinks,” Butler joked. “I just got to add that.”

NBA News:

Cavaliers win by 55 points to sweep Heat and finish off most lopsided series in NBA playoff history | NBA

The 55-point margin in Game 4 was the fourth-biggest playoff win ever. The record for biggest playoff win is 58 points, done twice: Minneapolis over St. Louis in 1956 and Denver over New Orleans in 2009. The Los Angeles Lakers beat Golden State by 56 points in 1973.

The Cavs came close. Pelle Larsson kept Miami from that piece of ignominious history. He made a 3-pointer to cut Cleveland’s lead to 55 with about 38 seconds remaining.

Nikola Jovic led the Heat with 24 points. Ban Adebayo scored 13 and Andrew Wiggins added 12 for Miami.

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo era should end with Damian Lillard’s injury, and a trade can benefit all involved | CBS Sports

The answer to that question can’t be “having Antetokounmpo.” He’s said himself that he wants to win another championship more than he wants to spend his whole career in one place. He’s spent 12 years in Milwaukee now, the same amount of time Garnett spent in Minnesota. They took different routes to getting there, but they wound up in the same place: playing for teams that didn’t deserve them. After a dozen years, Garnett finally had enough and moved on. It’s time for Antetokounmpo to do the same. It’s time for him to force his trade.

Kings finalizing multiyear contract to make Doug Christie their new head coach

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Rockets Game 4

Brandin Podziemski

40 minutes, 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 9-for-18 shooting, 6-for-11 threes, 2-for-3 free throws, 67.3% TS, +7

I’ve come to the conclusion that I want the Warriors to make the NBA Finals simply to see Podziemski on that stage. I’d say he doesn’t feel the pressure of the moment, but that would be a lie; the pressure seems to make him rise to a new level. He’s like a mini Butler!

Podziemski kept the offense afloat in the first half when the team couldn’t score, and he piled it on late when they desperately needed buckets. His toughness kept the Dubs alive on the boards, and he was a brilliant playmaker. He was just … spectacular.

Grade: A+

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