Heat Reach Playoffs With Comeback Win Over Bulls
The Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls, 102-91, at Kaseya Center on Friday in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.
The Heat lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the game for the seventh seed and needed to bounce back quickly, as this game against the Bulls was a win-or-go-home matchup for both teams. After all, Chicago defeated the Toronto Raptors and was only 48 minutes away from reaching the postseason. The Heat looked better in the early going and raced out to a 29-21 lead following the first quarter. However, the Bulls never gave up and responded with a 23-20 score in the second quarter, making it a five-point contest. The Bulls kept the momentum going and outscored the Heat by six points in the third quarter (24-18), securing a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Chicago had to hold on to its advantage but were unable to do so. Instead, the Heat played at their best when it mattered the most. The Heat won the final quarter by a 35-23 score, securing the win and a spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs as the eighth seed. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks in that round.
Jimmy Butler and Max Strus both led the way for the Heat with 31 points. Butler also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Meanwhile, Strus also had six rebounds and shot 7-for-12 from three-point range. Tyler Herro ended with 12 points but also added eight rebounds and seven assists. Bam Adebayo scored eight points, but he grabbed 17 rebounds and added four assists.
DeMar DeRozan was the leading scorer for the Bulls with 26 points, but he also added nine assists and four rebounds. Zach LaVine finished with 15 points while shooting 6-for-21 from the field. He also added four rebounds and two assists. Alex Caruso had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Nikola Vucevic finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Coby White chipped in with 12 points off the bench.
The Heat lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the game for the seventh seed and needed to bounce back quickly, as this game against the Bulls was a win-or-go-home matchup for both teams. After all, Chicago defeated the Toronto Raptors and was only 48 minutes away from reaching the postseason. The Heat looked better in the early going and raced out to a 29-21 lead following the first quarter. However, the Bulls never gave up and responded with a 23-20 score in the second quarter, making it a five-point contest. The Bulls kept the momentum going and outscored the Heat by six points in the third quarter (24-18), securing a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Chicago had to hold on to its advantage but were unable to do so. Instead, the Heat played at their best when it mattered the most. The Heat won the final quarter by a 35-23 score, securing the win and a spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs as the eighth seed. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks in that round.
Jimmy Butler and Max Strus both led the way for the Heat with 31 points. Butler also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Meanwhile, Strus also had six rebounds and shot 7-for-12 from three-point range. Tyler Herro ended with 12 points but also added eight rebounds and seven assists. Bam Adebayo scored eight points, but he grabbed 17 rebounds and added four assists.
DeMar DeRozan was the leading scorer for the Bulls with 26 points, but he also added nine assists and four rebounds. Zach LaVine finished with 15 points while shooting 6-for-21 from the field. He also added four rebounds and two assists. Alex Caruso had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Nikola Vucevic finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Coby White chipped in with 12 points off the bench.
Timberwolves Throttle Thunder, 120-95
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 120-95, at Target Center in an NBA Play-In Game on Friday night.
The Timberwolves (42-40 in reg. season, 1-1 in postseason) looked like they'd be in for a fight early, as the Thunder (40-42 in reg. season, 1-1 in postseason) trailed by just one after the opening period. However, Minnesota had opened a 10-point lead by halftime, and when the hosts added another seven points to their advantage before the final quarter, the game was essentially decided. Oklahoma City was held to just 36.0 percent shooting, including 32.5 percent from three-point range.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Jaylen Williams and Luguentz Dort recorded matching 17-point contributions while posting five assists and eight rebounds, respectively.
Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Timberwolves with 28 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Rudy Gobert generated a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. Anthony Edwards contributed a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, two steals and one block. Mike Conley delivered 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker compiled 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Kyle Anderson registered 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block.
The Timberwolves will move on to face the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference First-Round Playoff series that begins Sunday, while the Thunder have been eliminated from postseason play.
The Timberwolves (42-40 in reg. season, 1-1 in postseason) looked like they'd be in for a fight early, as the Thunder (40-42 in reg. season, 1-1 in postseason) trailed by just one after the opening period. However, Minnesota had opened a 10-point lead by halftime, and when the hosts added another seven points to their advantage before the final quarter, the game was essentially decided. Oklahoma City was held to just 36.0 percent shooting, including 32.5 percent from three-point range.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Jaylen Williams and Luguentz Dort recorded matching 17-point contributions while posting five assists and eight rebounds, respectively.
Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Timberwolves with 28 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Rudy Gobert generated a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. Anthony Edwards contributed a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, two steals and one block. Mike Conley delivered 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker compiled 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Kyle Anderson registered 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block.
The Timberwolves will move on to face the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference First-Round Playoff series that begins Sunday, while the Thunder have been eliminated from postseason play.