It was perhaps more complicated than imagined, but the Heat finally escaped with forceps against the Jazz (126-120), in this match played in the middle of the afternoon. A victory therefore clinched, and marked with the seal of Jimmy Butler : 37 points and 7 assists.
Mainly supported by Bam Adebayo (23 points, 7 rebounds), “Jimmy Buckets” responded to the duo Keyonte George (31 points) – Lauri Markkanen (25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds), to lead Miami towards his tenth success in thirteen matches and thus return to the Top 6 of the East. Conversely, Utah concedes its eighth defeat in nine games, moving further and further away from the Top 10 in the West.
TO REMEMBER
– Jimmy Butler plays the saviors. The playoffs are approaching, and like his team, Jimmy Butler seems to be starting to slowly, but surely, warm up. Author of his best mark of the season in scoring, he has in fact gone into boss mode to rescue his franchise from the trap set by Jazz. Particularly from this second period where he scored 25 of his 37 points, with especially 18 units in the third quarter alone. This bodes well for the future, while the Heat is in the middle of a Top 6 mission (= direct qualification for the playoffs), if not Top 4 (= home field advantage in the first round).
– Miami goes mano-a-mano. We had to wait until the fourth quarter to see the two teams decide between themselves, at the end of a meeting where there were no less than 21 changes of leader and 11 ties, without the difference in the score n exceeds ten points most of the time. Proof that the Heat and the Jazz were close to each other, but ultimately it was the more experienced, diligent and fit of the two teams that made the difference over the minutes, in front of their audience. A typically “Floridian” success for Erik Spoelstra’s warriors, never better than when they are pushed.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
