James Johnson puts up his highest scoring game of the season

James Johnson’s huge performance gave the Miami Heat their 13th win in a row.

Welcome to the Hot Hand, where after every Miami Heat game win or loss we recognize the player who best put his stamp on the game.

Of all the unlikely story-lines from this Miami Heat season, James Johnson’s play has to be near the top. The seven-year vet had never averaged more than 9.2 points. But this year? Johnson has been arguably Miami’s most important player. Certainly the most versatile. It displayed itself yet again against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

Johnson scored a season-high 26 points in the Heat’s 108-99 win over Brooklyn. He also had 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks on the night. All that, while playing 35 minutes at multiple positions, and leading the team in plus/minus with an obscene plus-17.

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With the Heat struggling for much of the night (credit the Nets for playing tough defense) and Hassan Whiteside getting demolished by Brook Lopez, coach Erik Spoelstra went into his bag of tricks to pull out a card he hadn’t used in a while. It was the joker known as Johnson at point-center. As most of Spoelstra’s moves go, it worked out perfectly. Without it, the win streak probably ends before it can reach the lucky number 13.

Johnson was aggressive, looking for his shot when had a smaller guy on him. He did almost all of his damage in the short mid-range area, or in the paint. His slippery moves were reminiscent of a 6-foot-8 version of Goran Dragic.

Though he didn’t distribute as much as he usually does, it didn’t matter. His scoring outburst was enough to give Miami their 13th-straight win.

The Heat (24-30) now travel to Philadelphia to face off against the Sixers, who will be without rookie stud Joel Embiid. The games tips at 7:30.

Next: Heat's winning streak about more than numbers

Notes

• Honorable mention goes to Dragic for his late-game heroics. With the outcome hanging in the balance, he hit multiple tough shots to keep Miami ahead. Dragic finished the night with 21 points and 5 assists.
• Last note on Johnson (I promise). Over his last five games, he’s now averaging 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, to go along with 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals. He is hitting 61 percent of his attempts from the floor, and 30 percent from deep. The guy has been incredible.
• Speaking of incredible, I have to mention Rodney McGruder for his continued stellar play. Most expected McGruder would have to spend the season with Miami’s D-League team, but he’s been a pivotal force behind the 13-game win streak. Tonight, he had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.
• Okaro White was also big, scoring 10 points and securing 5 rebounds. He played 30 minutes and his defensive versatility helped Miami pull away in the fourth quarter.
• Credit Tyler Johnson for having his highest scoring output since returning from a shoulder injury. T. Johnson had 18 points and 3 steals, and was tied with the other Johnson for team-lead in plus/minus, with a plus-17.
• Lastly, and most importantly, the Heat are now just one game out of 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings. What an improbable and unbelievable turnaround. Never forget that coach Spo is a wizard.