In a thrilling Monday night showdown, Jimmy Butler made a triumphant return from a sprained toe, scoring 31 points and hitting crucial free throws to secure a 96-95 overtime victory for the Miami Heat against the struggling Brooklyn Nets in New York.
Butler, who had been sidelined for seven games since December 30, showcased resilience and skill in his comeback, contributing significantly to the Heat’s third consecutive win. Despite Miami’s slow start with only 31 points in the first half, Butler’s 21 points in the second half and overtime proved instrumental in the comeback.
Making 8 of 12 field-goal attempts and an impressive 15 of 16 free throws, Butler sealed the victory with go-ahead free throws in the final seconds of overtime. Tyler Herro also played a crucial role, scoring 23 of his 29 points after halftime, including a triple that brought the Heat within one point with less than a minute remaining.
The Nets had a chance to extend their lead in overtime when Royce O’Neale hit a 3-pointer, giving them a 93-88 advantage. However, the resilient Heat clawed back, and Herro’s late triple set the stage for Butler’s game-winning free throws.
Despite a solid performance from Mikal Bridges, who scored 26 points for the Nets, and contributions from Cam Thomas and Royce O’Neale, Brooklyn couldn’t overcome their shooting struggles. The Nets shot only 34.3 percent from the field and a mere 21.8 percent from beyond the arc, sinking only 12 of 55 attempts.
Bam Adebayo added 11 points and an impressive 20 rebounds for the Heat, while Herro contributed 11 boards. Nic Claxton’s early three-point play gave the Nets a double-digit lead, but Miami fought back with a 19-3 run and eventually forced the game into overtime.
Despite the Nets holding a 45-31 halftime lead, the Heat’s resilience, led by Butler, turned the tide. The game remained fiercely contested, with Butler’s late-game heroics securing Miami’s hard-fought victory.
