Miami won a thriller on a lob before the buzzer, and two of the best guards in the NBA went to battle in a high-scoring affair.
Heat Win At the Buzzer
In a closer game than expected against a young Houston Rockets team, the Miami Heat found themselves tied up with 0.7 seconds remaining. On a lob inbound pass from Gabe Vincent, Jimmy Butler found himself wide open for a slam dunk to seal the win. Butler will get all the shine due to the game-winning dunk, but the play from Tyler Herro stood out tonight. Herro scored 31 points, shooting 11-20 from the field and 5-10 from three. The Heat guard came down with nine rebounds and dished out eight assists.
SGA & Dame Duel it Out
In a high-scoring battle between two-star guards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder came out on top with a 138-129 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 44 points while shooting 13-16 from the field and knocking down 18-19 free throws. The Thunder guard would do just enough as Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard had 38 points and nine assists, with 20 of his points coming in the first quarter. With the Thunder getting back-to-back road wins, they slowly creeping into the playoff picture.
Celtics Dismantle Hornets
A Jaylen Brown-less Boston Celtics protected home court in a 127-116 victory against the struggling Charlotte Hornets. In Brown’s place, Derrick White stepped up with a career-high 33 points, shooting 8-14 from beyond the arc and 10 assists. Alongside Jayson Tatum scoring 41 points, the Celtics continue to click off victories with an injured roster to remain atop the East.
Notable Storylines
- Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid takes care of New York Knicks with 35/11/6
- Detroit Pistons rookie Jalen Duren emerges with 30 points and 17 rebounds in an OT victory
- Ja Morant springs Memphis Grizzlies back to life in the West with 32/9/9
- Devonte’ Graham scores 31 points in his first game with San Antonio Spurs
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