It was all Miami in the first three quarters with Jimmy Butler, Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, PJ Tucker, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Herro leading the way. It got scary with the Los Angeles Clippers attempting another comeback being down 24, but Miami stood their ground and sealed the win late in the game with Butler’s clutch free throws.
Miami’s late-game execution still needs some work with Kyle Lowry out, however, the Heat remain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Recap
Bam Adebayo recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, had 26 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in 37 minutes of action. More impressively, Butler shot 15-of-15 from the stripe. Butler’s 16-for-16 game from the foul line is the first in Heat history, and the second such game in the NBA this season (Giannis had a 17-for-17 game).
UCSB product Gabe Vincent had 23 points in 33 minutes of work. Vincent’s 18 third-quarter points fueled Miami, ultimately leading to the Heat’s 121-114 win.
For the Clippers, Luke Kennard had a team-high 23 points in 31 minutes. Meanwhile, Justise Winslow, Miami’s 2015 10th overall pick, returned to FTX Arena for the first time. Winslow did not disappoint, recording a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds).
The Heat have now won 14 straight games when scoring 120+ points, including 8-0 this season.
Next Up
The Heat will stay in Miami to face the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
(Featured image by Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)