In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Jimmy Butler showcased his scoring prowess, leading the Miami Heat to a 122-115 victory over the Brooklyn Nets and extending their winning streak to seven games. Butler’s game-high 36 points, complemented by five rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, proved instrumental in securing the win for the Heat.
Butler’s exceptional performance included a remarkable third quarter where he scored 18 points, contributing significantly to Miami’s dominance. The seasoned player connected on 12 of 19 field goals, displayed accuracy from beyond the arc with 2 of 5 on 3-pointers, and demonstrated precision at the free-throw line by making 10 of 11 attempts.
The absence of key players did not deter the Nets from putting up a fight. Mikal Bridges and former Miami Hurricanes star Lonnie Walker IV stepped up, each contributing 23 points. Spencer Dinwiddie added 10 points and led the game with seven assists. The Nets played without their leading scorer, Cam Thomas, and key playmaker Ben Simmons, both sidelined due to injuries.
Miami sought revenge for their earlier loss to the Nets on November 1, and they achieved it convincingly. Duncan Robinson provided significant support with a season-high 26 points, showcasing his prowess from beyond the arc with a 6-for-10 performance on 3-pointers. Bam Adebayo added 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Heat’s reserve player Caleb Martin made a notable return, contributing six points in 12 minutes after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.
Despite Miami shooting just 38.1 percent from the field, they managed to hold a slim lead of 30-27 at the end of the first quarter. The Heat’s defensive efforts, particularly on second-chance points, allowed them to maintain their advantage.
A pivotal 14-0 run by Miami to close the second quarter resulted in a halftime lead of 60-52. Butler led all first-half scorers with 16 points, while Bridges led the Nets with 13 points.
Miami continued to stretch its lead in the third quarter, finishing with a 95-83 advantage. Butler’s dominance continued, making significant contributions both from the floor and the free-throw line. Walker’s efforts, including a buzzer-beating coast-to-coast layup, kept the Nets within reach.
The Heat asserted control in the fourth quarter, with the game never seriously in doubt. They concluded the matchup with impressive shooting percentages, hitting 51.9 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent from beyond the arc. A stellar performance at the free-throw line, making 23 of 24 attempts, further solidified their victory.
In contrast, the Nets shot 47.1 percent from the field, connecting on 14 of 36 3-point attempts. Despite a commendable 21-for-27 performance from the foul line, the Nets couldn’t overcome the Heat’s well-rounded and efficient play.
