The NBA was able to afford a great exhibition on Mexican soil during this meeting between San Antonio and Miami relocated to the Arena Ciudad in Mexico City. The poster, rather banal at first sight, gave birth to an intense encounter with spectacle and suspense almost to the end, until the Heat rose in temperature…
Erik Spoelstra’s men fired first like Max Strus’ two 3-pointers to help bring the score to 20-9. San Antonio quickly revived the suspense, and in what way since it was a 20-0 that allowed the Texans to regain the lead, this time with Keldon Johnson and Doug McDermott in the role of snipers (28-20).
Stunned, Miami was then able to count on a big passage from Bam Adebayo, accompanied by a dunk from Jimmy Butler, to get back in the game (32-36). The two teams continued on a good opposition until the break, with an inspired Jimmy Butler on the Florida side and still as much outside address on the Spurs side (8/16 at half-time) for Malaki Branham, Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson (56-52).
Even if the debates remained balanced, Jimmy Butler gained strength over the third quarter with 10 points and 3 assists for the 3-pointers of Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro (79-78). San Antonio stayed the course thanks to Malaki Branham’s heat stroke to point to +4 at the start of the last quarter (84-80), before cracking for good.
Bam Adebayo’s dunk and Duncan Robinson’s 3+1 set the tone to start this final period (86-88). Miami kicked into high gear, and San Antonio suddenly had to pull off a feat to score a field goal.
On his way, Duncan Robinson then chained a 3-point followed by a service for the huge dunk of Bam Adebayo (90-97). Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo made sure to avoid Floridians too uncertain “money-time” by chaining the baskets to keep the Spurs at a good distance. Tyler Herro finished the job on a new service from Duncan Robinson for a 3-point in transition (97-110). Winners 111-101, the Floridians were thus able to wash away the affront of their defeat against the Texans conceded last week.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A successful Mexico City Game. We were expecting a revengeful Miami team after their last setback against San Antonio, which could bode well for a rather lively duel. He was, and the Heat pulled it off with a burst of energy at the end. The game as a whole, for its part, offered great publicity to the NBA internationally. All that was missing was a slightly spicier money-time.
– The Heat defense. Spurs hit a wall in the fourth quarter! To have to tear up to register 7 small points over the first six minutes of the period. The Heat took the opportunity to make the hole in the score after being led almost the entire game so far. On arrival, the 31-17 in 12 minutes was enough for Miami to win.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jimmy Butler. A linear rise in power over the match, with a third quarter during which he embodied the model of aggression sought by the Heat. Precious also at the end to seal the fate of the meeting, he finished with a good line of stats: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and zero lost ball.
✅ Bam Adebayo. For his impact on the meeting on both sides of the floor which allowed him to sign a nice double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds and to finish at a +/- of +29 which says a lot about the importance of his presence for Miami. .
✅ Duncan Robinson. Ghostly in the first half, he was the X factor of the meeting afterwards with his 12 points including a 3+1 but also his three assists for baskets which were just as important.
⛔️ Devin Vasell. Another complicated match for him despite his 18 points since he finished at 5/14 in shooting including 1/7 from 3-pointers, and his presence on the floor was synonymous with very difficult times for the Spurs (+/- to -27).
⛔️ Jeremy Sochan. His return to competition has not been brilliant for three games. The 9th choice of the Draft has not yet found the more convincing face he had displayed in mid-November. .
THE FOLLOWING
San Antonio (9-20): new Texas derby in sight for the Spurs with a trip to Houston, this Monday (02:00).
Miami (16-15): the Heat will host Chicago this Tuesday (1:30 a.m.).
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