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Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets
It's been a three-game losing streak for the Miami Heat with the most disappointing being a loss against the Orlando Magic. The Heat had a 25-point lead over Orlando and saw that diminished with the Magic taking the victory 121-114. Jimmy Butler did not play after falling ill during the loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The loss to the Magic caused outrage amongst the Miami fans and questioning the front office as well as the future of the team. The Heat returned home to welcome the Brooklyn Nets who are currently in a play-in position.
Jimmy Butler remained out for the Miami Heat with an illness while his name was attached to trade rumors but seems like Miami will not move him at the deadline and will be something discussed in the offseason. Bam Adebayo led the team in scoring with 23 points followed by Nikola Jovic off the bench with 18 points. Both Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson would finish the night with 17 points while Jaime Jaquez Jr and Haywood Highsmith both struggled with nine and three points. Alec Burks also contributed off the bench with 12 points.
For the Brooklyn Nets it was both Can Johnson and Noah Clowney sharing the top scorer role both scoring 19 points in this game. Keon Johnson would follow them both finishing the game with 15 points and rounding up the starters would be Nick Claxton and Ben Simmons with six and four points. Off the bench for Brooklyn it was Tyrese Martin having the biggest impact scoring 14 points. The Nets were fully healthy and did not have anyone miss this game.
The Nets are 2-8 since going on a season best three-game winning streak in November. Since then Brooklyn has lost quite a bit with six of those losses being by double figures including two games by 25 or more. The Heat entered this game on a three-game losing streak and a win in this one would help them avoid facing four consecutive losses in which they have not experienced this year. Dru Smith led the game in the second quarter in what appeared to be a serious leg injury.
The Heat began the 4th quarter scoring five unanswered points making the lead 88-78. Miami would go on to outscore the Nets 27-17 in that final quarter. The Heat shot 21-24 from the free throw line with Adebayo going 7-8 and Herro going 5-6. Miami would snap the losing streak getting back in the win column defeating the Nets 110-95 as they currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference just right above a play-in spot.
Next up for the Miami Heat is a road game visiting the Orlando Magic.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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