http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/auto/epaper/ editions/monday/sports_04c8967a96ea903c00ed.html Hornets bet C. Butler can't do it by himself By Chris Perkins, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Monday, April 26, 2004 NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Hornets acknowledge Heat forward Caron Butler can beat them, but they're betting he won't. To their way of thinking, Butler can have his 24 points and 15 rebounds, which he did in Saturday's Game 3, because it won't necessarily win the game for the Heat. New Orleans would rather place its defensive emphasis on guards Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones and forward Lamar Odom. "They've been willing to give Caron some points if they take our three leading scorers out," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. On Sunday, one day after posting the first 20-point, 15-rebound game in Heat playoff history, Butler missed practice with a sore Achilles' tendon in his left leg. However, Butler, the Heat's leading scorer and rebounder in this series at 18 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, will be OK for Tuesday's Game 4 in New Orleans, and that will greatly increase Miami's chances of increasing its 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven, first-round, Eastern Conference series. With his ability to get points on mid-range jumpers and tip-ins in the half-court offense, and a knack for getting baskets in transition offense and on fast breaks, Butler has been tough to defend. But the Hornets don't plan to change how they're defending him. They're still going to use forward George Lynch, who defends Butler, to double team Wade and Odom. After all, Butler's 24 points and 15 rebounds came in a 77-71 Game 3 loss. But the Hornets are growing more and more aware of Butler each game. "In order to win this series I've got to keep him 10 to 15 points," Lynch said. Defensively, Butler might be more of a threat to New Orleans. With his quick hands and long arms he's able to dart into passing lanes and get steals (his 10 steals are the most for any player in the series) that start the Heat's transition offense and fastbreak. One thing New Orleans might do in Game 4 is use Lynch on back-door cuts to take advantage of Butler's habit of going for steals. The other thing the Hornets might do is pass to the ball to Lynch. His 21 field goal attempts are the fewest of any starter on either team. "I had success driving to the basket last game and I'm going to do that a little more to make him be aware of me on the floor, Lynch said. "Also, my teammates and coaching staff have to find ways to make sure we make that second or third pass because usually I'm on the other side of the floor." Injury update: Other than Butler, the Heat is healthy. Odom, who took six stitches to his left eyelid during the fourth quarter of Saturday's Game 3, practiced The Hornets didn't practice Sunday, opting to watch video, but guard Baron Davis, who is suffering mostly from a sprained left ankle, hobbled noticeably. Davis also has a sprained right ankle but he plans to practice today. Tickets for sale: Tickets for Friday's Game 5 are on sale. Fans can purchase them at the AmericanAirlines Arena ticket office, by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX or at www.heat.com. [email protected] --

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