It can be too simplistic to say the Miami Heat have a successful system.
Not with nearly each sport going to the ultimate buzzer and sufficient losses to have them mired at No. 7 within the Eastern Conference standings.
But Monday evening’s 119-115 victory over the Utah Jazz at Miami-Dade Arena might need been as shut as they may come.
With Jimmy Butler scoring when wanted.
Tyler Herro changing a key shot at a second of fact.
And Bam Adebayo stepping up with the protection play of the evening on the end.
So a much-needed win, a bit extra distance created forward of No. 8 Atlanta, and maybe confidence of higher moments forward.
Butler led the Heat with 24 factors, bullying his option to a 13-of-15 end from the foul line.
Herro, though 2 of 10 on 3-pointers, made one when wanted most with 55 seconds to play to place the Heat forward for good.
And then when the Jazz had an opportunity to tie with 6.9 seconds left, Adebayo got here up with a blocked shot and secured the decisive rebound, closing out the scoring with a pair of free throws.
In addition to Butler’s 24, the Heat bought 18 factors apiece from Herro and Gabe Vincent, as effectively 16 from Adebayo.
The Jazz bought 38 factors from Lauri Markkanen, with Simone Fontecchio including 23 for Utah.
Five Degrees of Heat from Monday’s sport:
1. For starters: The Heat led 33-26 on the finish of the opening interval however then went down eight within the second interval earlier than closing the primary half down 57-56. From there, it was tied 90-90 going into the fourth.
The Heat pushed to a five-point lead early within the fourth, however the Jazz got here again to retake the lead earlier than Butler tied it 111-111 with 4:33 to play, Butler later placing the Heat up 114-113 with a 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining.
Several empty possessions adopted on each ends, together with a pair of missed Butler free throws, earlier than Utah moved to a 115-114 lead with 1:16 to play on a Talen Horton-Tucker jumper.
But Herro then stepped into his 3-pointer off a Butler help for a 117-115 Heat lead.
The Heat then received a coach’s problem that resulted in a Jazz offensive foul with 46 seconds left.
And then a second of fact after a Herro turnover, when Adebayo got here up together with his defensive cease within the paint.
2. Hair elevating: Butler got here out at first with a coiffure that resembled Mickey Mouse ears after which moved on later to one thing a giant extra hairraising,
Coif apart, he once more discovered himself pressed to hold the Heat offense in coming off Saturday’s 38-point efficiency in Orlando, the time at 11 of 11 from the sphere via three quarters.
Then got here the standard second of fact, with Butler trying out for his second-half relaxation with 2:41 to play within the third interval and the Heat down 85-82. He returned with 6:15 to play and the Heat up 109-104.
3. Still the one: Even with Kyle Lowry obtainable for the second consecutive sport, Vincent once more began at level guard and bought off to a sizzling begin, changing three of 4 3-pointers earlier than heading to the bench for his preliminary relaxation.
It marked the second consecutive sport in reserve for Lowry, who had began his earlier 677 appearances previous to Saturday’s return in Orlando.
Lowry entered with 2:26 to play within the opening interval, with coach Erik Spoelstra vowing to maintain the minutes under the 36 Lowry went within the additional time loss to the Magic.
Lowry then returned late within the third interval and transformed a pair of fourth-quarter 3-pointers to briefly spark the Heat, however watch the shut from the bench, ending with 9 factors and 4 assists in 19 minutes.
Lowry performed 19:23, ending with 9 factors and 4 assists.
4. Yurt first: With Cody Zeller out with a damaged nostril, second-year Omer Yutseven performed because the Heat’s backup middle, together with a 4:05 stint within the first quarter that featured three rebounds, but in addition two fouls.
As was the case in Saturday’s loss in Orlando, Yurtseven was restricted to temporary stints, this time three, enjoying 11:04, at 1 of two from the sphere, with 4 rebounds.
Zeller watched from the Heat bench in road garments.
5. The randomness of all of it: Undrafted Jazz rookie Fontecchio’s career-high was 18 factors coming into the evening. He had 19 by the midpoint of the second interval, greater than twice as many as any Heat participant at that stage.
Before arriving to the Jazz, the 27-year-old 6-foot-7 wing had performed for Virtus Bologna, Olimpia Milano, Vanoli Cremona, Reggio Emilia, Alba Berlin and Baskonia.
Fontecchio was as much as 20 at halftime.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
