The Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 122-115 on Thursday night, extending their NBA winning streak to seven games. The Heat, who were without Tyler Herro due to injury, overcame a slow start and a late rally by the Nets to secure the win.
The Heat trailed by 10 points in the first quarter, but bounced back with a strong second quarter, outscoring the Nets 38-22. The Heat led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, but the Nets fought back and cut the deficit to three points with 1:19 left in the game.
However, the Heat held on with clutch free throws and defensive stops, and Jimmy Butler sealed the game with a steal and a dunk with 16 seconds remaining.
Butler Scores 36 Points in Dominant Performance
Jimmy Butler was the star of the night, scoring 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 14-of-15 from the free throw line. He also added seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes of action.
Butler was aggressive and efficient, attacking the rim and drawing fouls. He scored 14 points in the second quarter, helping the Heat take the lead. He also scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, including eight in the final three minutes, to fend off the Nets.
Butler’s performance was praised by fans and analysts on social media, who called him a “beast”, a “closer” and a “leader”. Some even compared him to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, two of the greatest players in NBA history.
Bridges and David Shine for Nets in Losing Effort
The Nets, who were also missing Kyrie Irving and James Harden due to injuries, had some bright spots in their loss. Mikal Bridges and Tim David, two of their young players, stepped up and had career-highs in points.
Bridges, a 24-year-old forward, scored 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 6-of-9 from the three-point line. He also added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 37 minutes. Bridges showed his versatility and confidence, scoring from inside and outside, and playing solid defense.
David, a 23-year-old guard, scored 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-7 from the three-point line. He also added four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 31 minutes. David was explosive and creative, driving to the basket and making tough shots.
Bridges and David combined for 60 points, the most by any duo in Nets history. They also became the first pair of Nets teammates to score 25 or more points each in the same game since Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie in 2019.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Heat improved to 10-2, the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record in the NBA. They have won seven straight games, the longest active streak in the league. They will look to extend their streak when they host the Boston Celtics on Saturday.
The Nets fell to 7-5, the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference and the ninth-best record in the NBA. They have lost two of their last three games, both to the Heat. They will try to bounce back when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday.
