NBA: The Heat held off the Jazz at home for two wins in a row
Miami, Florida - The Miami Heat came out of their matchup with the Utah Jazz on top, holding off one of the NBA’s top teams on Saturday night.
The Heat beat the Jazz in a close one, going 118-115. They earned their second-straight win while snapping Utah’s three-game winning streak.
Miami was able to hold off one of the league’s best teams, even though they almost gave the game away in the final seconds of regulation.
The Heat were up by only three after one quarter, but then pulled away as the action progressed through the next two-and-a-half periods. The Jazz found themselves down by as many as 19 with five minutes to go in the fourth.
An attempt at a game-winning shot didn’t fall as the Heat held on to win.
Miami was able to stay in the game thanks to superb shooting. They made over half of their three-point attempts as part of a team effort, shooting over 60% from the field overall.
It was much-needed offensive output despite committing 14 turnovers to Utah’s six in the game.
The player spotlight
Point guard Kyle Lowry (35), who’s fitting in well during his first season in Miami, had an all-around great game for the Heat.
He was all over the floor, playing for his 19th career triple-double, even though he wasn’t close to being the game’s top scorer.
In fact, his back up off the bench, Tyler Herro, was Miami’s high scorer on the stat sheet.
Lowry finished the night shooting 8-for-11, including 3 of 5 from behind the arc for 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The big picture
With the win, the Heat knocked the Jazz off of the NBA’s top spot and currently find themselves just a spot above them in the league’s standings.
The win is definitely something for them to build on after taking care of virtually the same team who earned the league’s best record last year.
On Monday, the Heat hit the road to take on the Nuggets, while on Sunday, the Jazz are in Orlando to face the Magic.
Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire