Jimmy Butler Injury Update Causes Major Shift in Hawks-Heat Odds for Game 5

The Miami Heat are just one win away from closing out the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but they will be without a key piece in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Jimmy Butler, who is averaging 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game this postseason, will miss Game 5 with right knee inflammation.

Butler is far and away Miami's best player, so the team will be facing an uphill battle in Game 5 to hold off a desperate Hawks team.

The Heat got up to seven-point favorites in Game 5 against the Hawks at WynnBET Sportsbook, but they have moved to just four-point favorites with Butler out of the lineup.

If you're thinking of backing Atlanta in this spot, it is important to know that the Hawks have yet to cover the spread in a loss this season, which means you are better off betting them to win outright in this game than for them to cover the four points.

The Heat didn't have guard Kyle Lowry (hamstring) in Game 4, but Butler was able to fill in, facilitating the offense and posting 36 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a blowout win.

Miami will likely turn to Victor Oladipo and Caleb Martin to fill Butler's minutes, but that is still a major downgrade for the Heat, even though Oladipo has show he can step up when called upon this season.

Miami is fourth in WynnBET's odds to win the NBA title at +600, but that would change drastically if Butler is expected to miss much more than Game 5.

Can an underdog come back and win in the first round? Check out the latest episode of Bet & Breakfast for our picks!