The Miami Heat knew they would have their hands full on Sunday as they welcomed one of the hottest teams in the entire NBA into their building. With the resurgent Brooklyn Nets paying them a visit, the same team that had gone 20-4 in their previous 24 games before that one, this was sure to be one of their toughest tasks thus far.
And the Miami Heat would answer the bell, coming out to have one of their most productive games of the year on both sides of the ball. Though they allowed the Nets to, flat-out, explode in the first half of play for 66 points, they would put up 64 points of their own in the opening half of play.
Yes, you like to see them play a better brand of defense, but there are two things to consider there. The Nets roster two of the most lethal scorers the game has ever seen in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, while they also feature some secondary guys who have been elite scorers in the NBA at points as well, such as T.J. Warren.
The Miami Heat played one of their better games Sunday against Brooklyn. And though they didn’t win, they were right there before a shaky late no-call.
That’s the first thing, but the second is this. This Miami Heat team was also able to put up 64 on an improved Nets defense.
That lets you know that the shots are just falling for both sides. On top of that though, the Miami Heat would come out and get back to their defensive ways to open the second half of play.
After allowing over 30 points per period in each of the first two, they would only allow Brooklyn to score 13 total in the third period of action, setting themselves up with a good chance to bring it home in the fourth quarter.
And here is where things really begin to get tricky. Here is the final possession of the game and the final shot from the Miami Heat.
Wow. Jimmy Butler misses at the buzzer. No foul call. Game over. Nets beat Heat 102-101. pic.twitter.com/krtyZCEnRb
— Will Manso (@WillManso) January 9, 2023
After fighting all game long and being without Bam Adebayo down the stretch, as the Nets were without Kevin Durant, the Miami Heat weren’t able to get this last-second shot to go. Another point of intrigue here is all of the contact allowed on the Jimmy Butler attempt.
It looked like more than enough contact to merit a call there. However, the Heat just couldn’t get it.
The Miami Heat played a solid game against a very good Nets team and one of the top teams in the conference. There are no moral victories but this is certainly a defeat to build on, as they were right there and likely, should have still had a chance to win it at the line.