The Heat can once again thank their “go-to-guy” for pulling out all the stops at the end against the Mavs who were determined to score a fifth victory in a row. It was a close call for Kyrie Irving's gang, beaten in overtime (123-118) and defeated by a physically weakened Jimmy Butler but who was able to compensate with a lot of heart to snatch this 7th success in 14 games for Miami.
Dallas quickly tried to impose its influence after Klay Thompson's big start to the game and the 3-pointers from the Irving-Washington pair (17-23). The locals were quick to respond, ending the first quarter with an 11-2 fueled by Jaime Jaquez Jr, Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love's 3-pointer (33-28).
To counter the rise in power of Kyrie Irving and the impact of the Washington-Gafford-Lively trio, Miami was first able to rely on a good passage from Pelle Larsson before seeing the Herro-Butler tandem take control to maintain the Heat at +5 at the break (56-51).
Dallas managed to hang on, again thanks to Klay Thompson and the Washington-Lively II pair (67-66). It then took two 3-point baskets from Pelle Larsson and Duncan Robinson then those from Alec Burks and Kevin Love to give Erik Spoelstra's men some breathing space as the last quarter approached (87- 77).
The big pass from Naji Marshall, author of ten points in a row, then the 5 points from Spencer Dinwiddie to start the last act reminded Miami that nothing was over (89-89).
The furious dunk!
For its part, Dallas gained confidence and Kyrie Irving's two 3-point baskets in quick succession reminded how close the threat was (103-106). Less than three minutes from the end, “Uncle Drew” placed his team at +4 from a floater with Pelle Larsson's mistake as a bonus (105-109). Alec Burks' 3-pointer and Tyler Herro's basket were not enough to reverse the trend (110-111).
Through a mouse hole, Miami finally obtained its survival thanks to a spectacular flight from Jimmy Butler who miraculously saw the basket end in the circle to put his team back in the lead. It then took a missed throw from Kyrie Irving 8 seconds from the end to allow “Jimmy Buckets” to get an unexpected dunk synonymous with an equalizer and overtime (114-114).
On his momentum, Jimmy Butler was able to find Bam Adebayo at 3-points before finishing in his characteristic style, going against Derek Lively II to give a definitive advantage to Miami, winner 123-118 at the end of 'a great battle.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jimmy Butler's sick finale. The Heat's franchise player was said to be diminished despite five days of rest between the victory against Philly and the match of the night. Announced as ill but present for the match, Jimmy Butler gained momentum throughout the match to finish like a cannonball. More than his good stats line at 33 points (11/17 shooting), 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks), we will especially remember this acrobatic basket which allowed Miami to continue to believe in the final, until overtime and victory.
– Spencer Dinwiddie worked hard… The leader almost was the hero of the match since it was he who inherited the ball at 114-114 with a little more than 4 seconds to play just after Jimmy Butler's equalizing dunk, and he narrowly missed it. that his improbable attempt pierces the net. The problem is that he was obviously having a bad night and he stubbornly wanted to continue shooting, missing his three 3-point attempts in overtime. The result is quite ugly since he finished at 1/12 shooting including 0/9 from distance.
– Just one throw away. It's not that he is restricted when Luka Doncic is there, but we feel Kyrie Irving flourishing with the keys to the team in hand since the Slovenian is absent. We saw him again this evening and even if he was a little watered from afar (3/12), he did what was necessary to put his team in a position to win, or almost. When we talk about details, his missed free throw 8 seconds from the end was one that really weighed, since Miami did not have to score 3 but only 2 points. A difference in size which made it possible to quickly find Jimmy Butler near the circle. With a 3-point difference, the situation would have been completely different!
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
