And seven for the Heat! The battle was tough, but Miami was able to do what was necessary to secure victory against a Brooklyn team that was still tough, despite the withdrawals of Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas.
The start of the game was colorful, with the Bridges-Claxton tandem responding to each attack from the locals, to the point of putting the Nets at +5 on a basket signed Lonnie Walker IV after ten minutes of play (20-25) .
After the burst of efficiency from Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson (30-27), Miami resumed its march forward, with the help in particular of an inspired Bam Adebayo, in scoring or passing, as when he found the returning Caleb Martin for his first 3-point basket of the season (39-36).
The Butler Show
Alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and Cam Johnson, who also shone from afar, Nic Claxton multiplied his exploits at high altitude to keep Brooklyn in the game. The pivot even increased his team to +6 after a second 2+1 on an alley-oop concluded above Kevin Love (46-52).
It was at this moment that Miami chose to move up a gear, and the result was clear! Defensive sequences worthy of the name, fast play, efficiency, all punctuated by two award-winning shots from Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler for a 14-0 as a gift before the break, just to set things straight (60-52).
Brooklyn came back after the break, briefly managing to bring the gap back to -4, mainly thanks to the good work of Walker (77-73). But that was without counting on the crazy pass from Jimmy Butler who ignited the Kaseya Center by scoring 11 points in a row including a huge two-handed dunk and his special, an “and-one” on a mid-range shot inscribed with the help of the plate (84-73). “Jimmy Buckets” did not stop there as he then found Kevin Love at 3-point, before aligning three free throws to increase the gap (92-79).
Faced with an opponent who had just taken his first knee, Miami was quick to hit the nail on the head, relying on two 3-point baskets from Duncan Robinson and dunks from Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo to secure the blow 7 minutes from the end (111-97). Brooklyn played hard until the end, without managing to worry the locals, who escaped with a seventh consecutive success, 122 to 115.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
–Heat Culture. Miami once again highlighted its slogan “Heat Culture”, which displays the unique identity of the Florida franchise, based on work and rigor. Values which reflected on this match between the 14-0 sequence marked by strong defenses or the passage of Jimmy Butler, who perfectly embodies the values of his franchise, at the end of the third quarter with his 11 points in a row . Note that in terms of commitment, work and self-sacrifice, Brooklyn is also a team that has its back. Jacque Vaughn’s team did its best to compete and held up rather well given the current context, without two major elements of its roster. Even at -17, the Nets didn’t give up, managing to come back to finish at -7.
– “Jimmy Neutron” superstar. While Tyler Herro is healing, Duncan “Jimmy Neutron” Robinson is having an amazing start to the season. He had already been highlighted against San Antonio, and this is again the case this night with a new peak at 26 points, including 10 in the last act marked by two baskets behind the arc which in some way plunged the Clean underwater. But beyond that, his new remarkable performance confirms his good performance for three weeks. After going through difficult times these last two years, he is playing his best basketball today, showing that he has become much more than a “spot-up shooter”, being able to bring much more, to the creation, or in his drives which allow him to finish or come out accurately, all enhanced by the same 3-point skill as in his debut (6/10 tonight). Really amazing.
