Three things to Know: This is why nobody wants to face Miami in first round

Three Things To Know is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA must-watch.

Playoff Jimmy Butler is a real thing.

For that matter, playoff Miami Heat is a thing — this is a team better built for the physical grind of a playoff series than the regular season.

All of that was on display Thursday night, when the focused Heat took charge early behind 24 points (on 9-of-12 shooting, with six assists) from Jimmy Butler and blew out the 76ers 129-101.

Jimmy gets the bucket + the foul