The Miami Heat pulled off a late comeback win on Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks and history was made by Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, their undrafted duo of starting guards.
The Miami Heat needed overtime to beat the upstart Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, but they made the most of the extra five minutes in history-setting fashion. For the first time in franchise history, two Heat teammates had triple-doubles in the same game as Jimmy Butler recorded 20 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists while Bam Adebayo recorded 30 points 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
That’s impressive enough, but another mark was set that reflects wonderfully on the Heat organization’s ability to develop its young players and to maximize value from their cheapest contracts.
Kendrick Nunn (36 PTS) and Duncan Robinson (34 PTS) combined for the most points (70) ever scored by two undrafted teammates in Miami's win.
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) December 11, 2019
The previous record was 65 combined points, set by the Warriors' C.J. Watson (40 PTS) and Anthony Morrow (25 PTS) on Feb. 17, 2010. pic.twitter.com/yJOOkVfTxA
Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, the Heat’s starting backcourt, combined for 70 points with Nunn scoring 36 on 14-of-26 shooting and Robinson scoring 34 on 12-of-16 from the floor and a team-record tying 10 3-pointers. While 70 points from a starting backcourt alone is astonishing regardless of the context, this duo has the remarkable distinction of both being undrafted. According to NBA Stats, their scoring total beat the previous high of 65, scored by C.J. Watson and Anthony Morrow in 2010.
The Miami Heat entered this season hard-capped thanks to the sign-and-trade that brought Jimmy Butler to South Beach, leaving them with virtually no resources with which to bring in more talent. Throw in the ongoing drama with Dion Waiters and injuries to Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow, the duo who played the majority of point guard minutes for this team last season, and the Heat found themselves in a desperate situation.
Nunn and Robinson’s ability to step up and fill these vital roles has been admirable. After all, they both essentially played themselves into spots on the roster as fringe players in Summer League, which gives you an indication just how recently their very places on this team were tenuous.
Credit head coach Erik Spoelstra and his coaching staff for their development, but the two of them deserve accolades for taking full advantage of the unlikely opportunities presented to them.