Jimmy Butler shared the credit with his teammates after the Miami Heat won another win in the NBA playoffs.
The 33-year-old earned himself the nickname ‘Playoff Jimmy’ by excelling in the postseason.
And Butler shined again as the Heat cruised to a 123-116 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the Eastern Conference finals.
“I’m playing at an incredible level because they’re allowing me to do that and not putting limits on my game,” said Butler, who scored 35 points.
“They’re trusting me with the ball and on the defensive end, and I think that’s what any basketball player wants.
“All anyone wants in life is to be wanted, to be appreciated and just let you go out there and rock.”
Butler also finished with seven assists, six steals and five rebounds for Miami, which became the first eighth-seeded player to reach the conference finals since 1999.
The Heat outscored second-seeded Boston by 13 points late in the second quarter and trailed 66-57 at halftime.
But they outscored the hosts 46-25 in the third quarter to take a 12-point advantage, with Bam Adebayo adding 20 points.
Jayson Tatum had 30 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics, while Jaylen Brown added 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Game two of the best-of-seven series is Friday in Boston.
