To kick off their two-game home stand, the Miami Heat welcomed the San Antonio Spurs to FTX Arena. Looking to sweep the season series against the Spurs, Miami is as healthy as they have been all season and are chugging along as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Recap
It was a game of runs in the first half. The Spurs pounded the paint in the first quarter. Scoring 30 points in the paint in the first period alone, San Antonio got off to a quick 40-28 lead at the end of the first. Miami came storming back thanks to their defense in the second quarter. The Heat held the halftime lead, 61-58. A high-scoring second half and a furious comeback by the Spurs in the fourth quarter made the last two minutes exciting. The Heat pulled off the win in the end, 133-129.
Bam Adebayo carried the team on his shoulders. With San Antonio’s starting center Jakob Poeltl sidelined, Adebayo took it to the Spurs in the final three quarters. Despite not scoring in the first, he finished with 36 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks. It was probably his best game of the season, and it was debatably the best game of his career.
Strangely, Jimmy Butler did not close the game for the Heat. This was not because of foul trouble. It was also not because he was shooting poorly. He just did not close the game. He still finished with 27 points on 11 shot attempts, which is mind-boggling. Tyler Herro also cashed in a monster game. He finished with 27 points in the high-scoring affair.
Up Next
The Heat’s final game of February is the final game of their home stand. They will welcome the second-seeded Chicago Bulls on Monday, February 28. It is bound to be a clash of titans that should not be missed.