Not all of them are pretty, but nearly one week removed from losing by 36 to the Utah Jazz, the Miami Heat enacted vengeance and squeaked past Utah, 97-92, Thursday night inside Delta Center.
The Heat just lost 39.6 percent and 28.0 percent from 3-point range, but Tyler Herro led the way with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 7-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-10 from 3-point range. He was followed by sophomore forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., who tallied a season-high 20 points, including a critical above-the-break 3-pointer to put the Heat ahead by five points with 1:03 left.
Utah shot 39.8 percent, including 11-of-36 (30.6 percent) from 3-point range on the night. Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton had 23 points apiece, though the former had a game-high six made 3-pointers on 15 attempts.
Both teams combined for just 87 points on 34.5 percent shooting in the first half.
Jaquez’s triple in the fourth quarter tied a season-high for made 3s in a single game–doing so last on Dec. 26 against the Orlando Magic. Up to this point, he had not made multiple 3-pointers in a single game. Though he’s continued to produce in Jimmy Butler’s absence, scoring at least 13 points in his fourth straight game and 16 in his last three.
Miami’s win Thursday moves them to 19-17, while the tanking Jazz drop to 9-27. The Heat will have a prime opportunity to extend their winning streak to three games Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers, the fourth of their six-game road trip.
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This video sums up Jimmy Butler’s motivation. It’s not about Riley not putting a better team around him. It’s not about getting joy back from basketball. It’s about money!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94g35470lFg
Another good road win.
Go Heat, Go!
Glad to see the team rebound from that 35 point blowout the last time they played Utah. To be fair to the Jazz, four players who scored a total of 71 points last game were out (Sensabaugh, Collins, George and Clarkson). Nonetheless, this was a game the Heat was supposed to win and did.
The team is still making avoidable mistakes, especially careless turnovers. Those need to be cut down or it will cost them against the better teams. Interestingly, Jaquez made 3 of 5 3-point shots (60%) while the rest of the team made just 6 of 30 (20%). Overall, the team shot 25.7% from 3 point range while Utah shot 41.3%. Several of Miami’s misses were wide open uncontested shots.
Jaquez probably would have had 12-15 assists (instead of 7) if his teammates were hitting their 3’s. Jaquez has several skills normally found in a point guard, rather than a small forward. If the team could trade for someone like Kuzma or Ingram, Jaquez (6’6″) could start at guard alongside Herro (6’5″), either Ingram (6’8″) or Kuzma (6’9″) at SF, Bam (6’9″) at PF and Ware (7’0″) at center. That dog could hunt!
If Washington would take Butler for Kuzma and Brogdon in trade, Jimmy would likely want to opt out after the season and become an unrestricted free agent. He could then entertain offers and sign with the highest bidder -or- push for a sign & trade with a team such as Phoenix. Washington could then be out from under Kuzma and Butler’s contracts and have considerable cap space to fast track their rebuild with young players they can pick up in the draft, or obtain via free agency and trades. If Jimmy does not decide to opt out, Washington would be free to trade him as a one year rental to the highest bidder.
Sounds like a plan to me.
I dont like Kuzma, but Ingram can fit in. I just wonder, if he is a Miami heat type of player.
This team success depends of how Jovic, JJJ and Ware are playing.
Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like Jovic and JJJ play their best basketball when Jimmy is out.
I think it was true last season and I know it’s true this season
If jimmy will be back, he should came in to replace JJJ.
I disagree. He should have to earn his way back into the starting lineup.
I haven’t seen the team pass the ball this well since last December.
Would love to see K-Love back in the rotation
K-Love has been out a lot this year for “personal reasons.” I hope he and his family are OK.