You can tell there’s a fierce rivalry between two teams when a network voluntarily gives up a New York Knicks game to showcase it. Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami fits the bill.

TNT swapped in the Golden State Warriors’ visit to the Miami Heat on March 25 for their national double-header, replacing a previously scheduled game between the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks.

Perhaps the Knicks-Mavs game was less appealing after Luka Doncic was traded and Anthony Davis suffered an injury that will keep him out for at least two more weeks. But it’s likely that TNT anticipates fireworks as Butler takes his talents back to South Beach.

It’s been tense between Butler and the Heat since Pat Riley criticized Butler for claiming the Heat could have beaten the Boston Celtics in last year’s playoffs if he was healthy, telling reporters, “If you’re not on the court playing … you should keep your mouth shut.”

The Heat didn’t seem eager to extend Butler, and in June, Butler declared he wouldn’t sign a contract with Miami.

What followed was months of sniping in the media, thinly veiled trade requests, suspensions, alleged missed flights, a meeting with a weeping Pat Riley and pointed social media posts.

Riley antagonized Butler by changing team policies about travel and rehab this season, changes aimed squarely at Butler.

For his part, Butler walked out of a practice, courted trade speculation with public comments and different hair colors and played with what appeared to be less than full effort. Hall of Famer and former Heat guard Tim Hardaway, Sr. joined the feud by repeatedly criticizing Butler’s conduct.

Butler’s likely to face a steady chorus of boos in Miami, even though he led the Heat to NBA Finals berths in 2020 and 2023. TV networks love this kind of drama.

In 2017, ABC broadcast Kevin Durant’s first game in Oklahoma City after signing with the Warriors as a free agent.

As fans taunted Durant and held up signs with pictures of cupcakes, a reference to Durant’s alleged softness, KD scored 34 points, while also picking up double technicals after a dust-up with Andre Roberson.

In 2010, TNT showcased LeBron James’ first game in Cleveland after leaving the Cavaliers for the Heat.

The Cavs invited Cleveland celebrities to the game, fans booed and waved signs and even threw 9-volt batteries on the court. James scored 38 points and the Heat won by 28.

It likely won’t reach that level of emotion in Miami next month, but both Butler and the Heat will be fired up to send the other a message.

We could also see a big game from former Warrior Andrew Wiggins, who had big scoring efforts against the Minnesota Timberwolves after they traded him to the Warriors, averaging 26 points in the first four matchups.

TNT thinks the game will be must-watch television especially if Riley cries again.