Jimmy Butler said being booed by his own fans was music to his ears after the Timberwolves guard starred in a victory over the Cavaliers.

Butler requested a trade last month and Timberwolves supporters let their feelings be known when he was introduced to the crowd ahead of a 131-123 win on Friday.

But the 29-year-old turned boos into 'MVP' chants in Minnesota's first home game of the season, which he ended with a game-high 33 points. 

Butler expected to get the fans back on side, but claims he does not care if they continue to give him grief.

"I knew it was going to happen, I knew they were going to switch up on me. It's part of it, I think there's probably more boos to come, one of these days." he said.

"I like it, though, it's okay to boo me. I'm still going to play hard, I'm still going to try my best to help win games. Boos, cheers, silence, I got a job to do, I still play hard.

"I think people kind of love to hate me sometimes, say whatever you want to say, but it really makes me smile what people think about me. But no matter what, you gotta respect my effort.

"You may not like me - that's okay. But as long as you know that my mind and my heart is in the right place, that I do everything to win and I would do anything for my guys, I'm cool.

"Boo me, hate me, just don't throw nothing at me, because now you're doing something different.

"You can hate me because you read what you see in the media, but you really don't know what's going on."