No De’Aaron Fox for the Kings, no Jimmy Butler for the Heat, but Tyler Herro was there after missing much of the game against the Warriors after an eyeball.
No consequences obviously for the best 6th man in title, who made the difference for his team, notably by registering the victory shot 2.5 seconds from the end. Before that, the back had already struggled (26 points, 12 rebounds) to allow his team not to let the Kings take control of the “money-time”.
Miami therefore continues a second consecutive victory (110-107) to find a balance sheet (4-5) more correct, when Sacramento (2-5) may have regrets after having yet made a solid match.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A very good game. Despite the absences of De’Aaron Fox and Jimmy Butler, we saw a very, very good game. The gap never exceeded 7 points on either side, there were 12 draws, 26 lead changes and almost half of the second half was played with neither team managed to take more than one possession in advance. A real boxing match, as we like them. “These are the games you want to be a part of, that’s for sure” also confessed Kevin Huerter despite the defeat.
– Finally an identity for the Kings? It’s hard to celebrate a victory, but Mike Brown’s Kings showed very good things in this meeting in Miami. The defensive activity is much better than in previous years, and there is movement in attack. Now let’s hope that translates into the balance sheet…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Tyler Hero. A real boss game (26 points, 12 rebounds, +15 +/-) in the absence of Jimmy Butler. He takes matters into his own hands when he feels the Heat are about to falter, and he scores the winning shot, even though Mike Brown was rightly pointing out that he is walking on the last play, replacing his foot from support.
✅ Kevin Hurter. Salvaged to bring a real outside threat to the Kings, the former Hawk is accomplishing his mission for now. After 27 then 26 points, he scored 22 points at 9/17 shooting, including 4/9 from afar. He therefore remains on 75 points in three games, 16/25 behind the 3-point line.
✅ Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian seems to be finding the right fuel, despite some jolts. Placed in the center of rotation of the attack, a bit like Nikola Jokic at the Nuggets, he delivered a complete game, with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Even if he has to make even more efforts in defense.
✅ ⛔ Kyle Lowry. Difficult to release a disappointment in this meeting. The Heat point guard was also more aggressive than usual (22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) in the absence of Jimmy Butler, and he scored a decisive shot in the last minute. He had also started strong, with 17 points in the first half, but he was in difficulty after the break. Except for this final shoot, so…
THE FOLLOWING
Miami (4-5): see you at the Pacers tomorrow night (00:00) to find balance
Sacramento (2-5): the “road trip” continues in Orlando, Saturday evening (10:00 p.m.)
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