Heat Uses Strong Start To Top Nets
The Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 122-115, at Kaseya Center on Thursday.
The Heat (8-4) bolstered their solid record at home with a big win over the Nets (6-6), a team struggling to maintain consistency as the season progresses. Miami joined a strong start and raced to a 30-27 lead in the first quarter. The Nets kept fighting, but the Heat remained the better side, and they pushed their advantage to eight points following a 30-25 score in the second quarter. The Heat didn’t step their foot off the gas in the third quarter and made it a double-digit game following a 35-31 score in the third quarter. The Nets put up some fight in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough for them. The Heat held on, and they secured a relatively easy victory in front of their fans. With the win, the Heat moved to 4-1 at home. Meanwhile, the Nets fell to 3-3 on the road.
Jimmy Butler was the best player for the Heat and finished with 36 points while adding five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Duncan Robinson had a strong outing as well, finishing with 26 points and two assists while going 6-for-10 from three-point range. Bam Adebayo delivered 20 points and seven rebounds. Adebayo also added four assists, two steals and a block. Jaime Jaquez was impressive off the bench and registered 10 points.
Mikal Bridges was the best player for the Nets after notching 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson each had 16 points in this one. Claxton posted six rebounds and three blocks, while Johnson also chipped in with four boards and three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie had 10 points, seven assists and five boards. Lonnie Walker IV dazzled off the bench with 23 points and three boards across 26 minutes.
The Heat (8-4) bolstered their solid record at home with a big win over the Nets (6-6), a team struggling to maintain consistency as the season progresses. Miami joined a strong start and raced to a 30-27 lead in the first quarter. The Nets kept fighting, but the Heat remained the better side, and they pushed their advantage to eight points following a 30-25 score in the second quarter. The Heat didn’t step their foot off the gas in the third quarter and made it a double-digit game following a 35-31 score in the third quarter. The Nets put up some fight in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough for them. The Heat held on, and they secured a relatively easy victory in front of their fans. With the win, the Heat moved to 4-1 at home. Meanwhile, the Nets fell to 3-3 on the road.
Jimmy Butler was the best player for the Heat and finished with 36 points while adding five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Duncan Robinson had a strong outing as well, finishing with 26 points and two assists while going 6-for-10 from three-point range. Bam Adebayo delivered 20 points and seven rebounds. Adebayo also added four assists, two steals and a block. Jaime Jaquez was impressive off the bench and registered 10 points.
Mikal Bridges was the best player for the Nets after notching 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson each had 16 points in this one. Claxton posted six rebounds and three blocks, while Johnson also chipped in with four boards and three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie had 10 points, seven assists and five boards. Lonnie Walker IV dazzled off the bench with 23 points and three boards across 26 minutes.
Thunder Defeat Warriors, 128-109
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 128-109, at Golden 1 Center on Thursday.
Golden State played this game without Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to an easy win. They kicked things off with a 39-24 first quarter, closing their blowout behind a 34-24 fourth quarter. They got their lead up to 21 points at times and never relinquished the lead after the opening five minutes. The Thunder shot 51 percent from the field, 59 percent from three-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 41 percent from the field, 34 percent from long range and 79 percent from the charity stripe.
The Thunder (8-4) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 24 points, two rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Isaiah Joe hit 7-of-7 from three-point range to lead the bench with 23 points. Josh Giddey amassed 19 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Jalen Williams amassed 16 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren had 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Warriors (6-7) were led by Jonathan Kuminga, compiling 21 points, six rebounds and two assists. Chris Paul provided 15 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Andrew Wiggins and Dario Saric scored 12 points apiece. Brandin Podzeimski and Kevon Looney led the bench with 13 points apiece, with Looney grabbing 11 rebounds.
These teams will run it back on Saturday for their next outing.
Golden State played this game without Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to an easy win. They kicked things off with a 39-24 first quarter, closing their blowout behind a 34-24 fourth quarter. They got their lead up to 21 points at times and never relinquished the lead after the opening five minutes. The Thunder shot 51 percent from the field, 59 percent from three-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 41 percent from the field, 34 percent from long range and 79 percent from the charity stripe.
The Thunder (8-4) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 24 points, two rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Isaiah Joe hit 7-of-7 from three-point range to lead the bench with 23 points. Josh Giddey amassed 19 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Jalen Williams amassed 16 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren had 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The Warriors (6-7) were led by Jonathan Kuminga, compiling 21 points, six rebounds and two assists. Chris Paul provided 15 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Andrew Wiggins and Dario Saric scored 12 points apiece. Brandin Podzeimski and Kevon Looney led the bench with 13 points apiece, with Looney grabbing 11 rebounds.
These teams will run it back on Saturday for their next outing.