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Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs
The big story has been Jimmy Butler which in return to the team after his seven-game suspension in which he was received with mixed emotions by Heat nation at the Kaseya Center. Body language also has been very clear from Butler that he does not want to be there. Butler participated in yet another meeting this time with Mickey Arison where he stood firm and again requested a trade out of Miami preferably before the trade deadline in February. The Heat welcomed Sunday afternoon Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs.
The bench was the most powerful asset to the Heat in this game against the Spurs. Leading the team in scoring was Kel'el Ware who finished with a career-high of 25 points as many Heat fans are calling for him to be inserted into the starting lineup. After several games of struggle for Duncan Robinson he had a great game finishing with 21 points. Terry Rozier also had a standout game from the bench finishing with 20 points. Tyler Herro didn't have to carry the team tonight but still put up 18 points with Butler only contributing with eight points.
For the Spurs leading the way was Devin Vassell who would finish the game with 23 points followed by followed by Wembanyama contributing with 21 points. Stephon Castle would follow that with 11 points on the night and rounding up the starting lineup with Harrison Barnes contributing with 10 points. Leading the way off the bench for San Antonio was Keldon Johnson finishing the afternoon with eight points.
The Heat closed the first half of play going on an 11-0 run taking a five-point lead over the Spurs making it 46-41. They would open up the second half picking up right where they left off going on a huge 25-8 run. Following a Nikola Jovic three in the third quarter the Heat would go up on San Antonio 71-52. The Spurs have reached the midway point of the season with a 19-22 record sitting outside of the playoff spots in the Western Conference.
With this game the Heat ended a three-game losing streak at home and before that Miami had won nine out of 11 games since November 18 at the Kaseya Center. Back-to-back three pointers from Robinson and Rozier really put the Heat up comfortably and never looked back. They started off cold from three missing the first eight attempts but would go on to make 10 out of their next 11. Miami would go on to defeat San Antonio 128-107.
Next up for the Miami Heat is a home game welcoming the Portland Trail Blazers to the Kaseya Center.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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