Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat with 31 points to a 115-106 win against the Sacramento Kings, breaking a seven-game losing streak during Wednesday’s NBA action. With an impressive 10-14 shooting performance, Butler also grabbed seven rebounds.
Josh Richardson contributed significantly, making six 3-pointers out of ten attempts, to end the game with a season-high 24 points. Bam Adebayo added 16 points and 11 rebounds, with 14 points adding Tyler Herro, making them part of the Heat’s four players who scored in double figures.
Reflecting on the game, Butler emphasized the team’s gratitude for their professional opportunity and the enjoyment of playing in front of fans, highlighting a regained perspective amidst the losing streak.
“Just remember that we are very fortunate to have a job that we get to hoop, that we get to play before so many great fans,” Butler said. “We lost control of that for a little bit, the sight that this isn’t as difficult. It could be a lot worse.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings Updates
The Heat achieved a season-best 38 assists in their 1,500th regular-season win. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra praised the team’s effort and commitment over the past 24 hours, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining such cohesion in professional sports today.
“The group poured a lot into the last 24 hours,” Spoelstra said. “Poured into this process, poured into each other, poured into the solutions. I commend the group because in this day and age and in pro sports, it is tough to do that.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings Updates
Despite shooting only 1-8, Terry Rozier contributed 10 assists in his fifth appearance since being traded from Charlotte.
Domantas Sabonis stood out with a triple-double for the Kings, scoring 19 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing out 13 assists. This was Sabonis’ 13th triple-double of the season, and he extended his streak of games with at least a double-double to 29, nearing Oscar Robertson’s franchise record.
Keegan Murray led the Kings in scoring with 33 points, while Kevin Huerter and De’Aaron Fox added 14 and 13 points, respectively. Despite Murray’s seven 3-pointers, the Kings struggled from long range, finishing 12-40.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings Updates
Sacramento made a significant push before halftime, cutting an 18-point deficit down to four, led by Sabonis and Murray’s efforts. The Heat pulled ahead in the third quarter with key 3-pointers from Herro and Butler and maintained their lead with Richardson’s clutch shooting in the fourth quarter.
“We’re getting open looks, and sometimes they just don’t go down,” Murray said. “It’s human nature sometimes.”
Miami’s Duncan Robinson was sidelined under concussion protocol, missing the game, which allowed Richardson more playtime, during which he felt confident in his shooting.
Looking ahead, the Kings are set to play the Indiana Pacers, and the Heat will face the Washington Wizards, both games scheduled for Friday.
