One of those is the defending champion Boston Celtics, who — at full health — dropped a disappointing game Wednesday night against a Toronto Raptors team that entered the night with only nine victories. Boston still has elite talent, but it has one glaring issue it seemingly can’t shed.

The Miami Heat (20-19) are set to host the Denver Nuggets (24-16) on Friday night, marking Jimmy Butler's return after serving a seven-game suspension. The

And he might have taken a shot at the Miami Heat — possibly long-time team president Pat Riley — in a video posted on his Instagram story. Butler was at his BigFace Coffee brick-and-mortar location in the Miami Design District this week, it seems, when the six-time NBA All-Star posted a video that is already making the rounds.

Will Jimmy Butler make his Heat return on Friday against the Nuggets? Check back here for updates throughout the day

The latest development is that, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Heat failed to pay Butler for a period during the summer.

The defending NBA Champions are back in action on Friday, Jan. 17 when the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston.

One of those is the defending champion Boston Celtics ... that’s far too much inefficiency to bear. With Jimmy Butler’s seven-game suspension set to lift Friday, neither he nor the Heat ...

Jackson specifically cites the Boston Celtics' trades for center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday which resulted in an instant title, and the Milwaukee Bucks' deal for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, moves that Jackson observes were far bolder than the Heat's summer signings of center Thomas Bryant and shooting guard Josh Richardson.

The six-time All-Star is eligible to return from suspension Friday, but the tension surrounding the team remains palpable, writes Mark Medina.

Add longtime NBA executive Bob Myers to the long list of people who has had enough of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. Butler returned to the court Friday night following a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was back on the court Friday night for the first time since he was handed a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the