The Miami Heat were coming into Thursday’s game on the second night of back to back games and fresh off of a victory in the first. Having to endure this contest without the services of Tyler Herro, they would have Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry back in the lineup.
It turned out to be all they needed, but it didn’t necessarily look that way to start. The Wizards got out of the gates hotter than the Miami Heat did, coming off of a lost of their own on Wednesday night.
At least, evening the playing field with them on the second night of a back to back as well, the Miami Heat would eventually make their push to close the first quarter though. At that point, they would then proceed to continue to outscore the Wizards in every period of the game.
Always tough and scrappy games against the Wizards, this one was also, sort of, that way. A really wanky one, it was never as close or as wide-open as it seemed.
Even with the lead hovering around 10, 11, 12ish as the time dwindled away in the fourth period, Coach Spo and the Miami Heat didn’t take their feet off the gas, as they know what this Wizards team is capable of doing in a very short amount of time.
The Miami Heat got a good win over Washington in the open of a ‘home & home’ set. Jimmy Butler also scored 30 for the second consecutive game and night.
The methods that Spo and company chose worked out to their benefit. The Miami Heat would win the game… going away, 112-97.
Jimmy Butler would put up his second consecutive 30-point performance with 32 and on back to back nights, finishing Wednesday night’s win with a 30-point triple-double showing. He would receive support on Thursday from the whole team too.
Bam Adebayo added 20 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Kyle Lowry finished with eight points, five rebounds, and 12 dimes of his own. P.J. Tucker continued his explosive offensive ways for this Heat team, contributing 15 points, five boards, and two helpers, but still… the biggest surprise of the night was Gabe Vincent.
He finally consistently showed that deep prowess, going 3-6 from range and en route to 18 points, two rebounds, and three assists, his best showing as a member of the team so far. The Miami Heat took it from wherever they could get it on Thursday and sometimes you have to.
They also have to turn right around and face this same team in Washington on Saturday. While any away game is tougher, with this Washington team’s talent and the fact that they just took an L to the Heat, they’ll surely come out with a heightened level of intensity.
At least, one would think so. Either way though and with a day to rest in between, the Heat should be ready.