The Washington Wizards secured a nail-biting 110-108 win against the Miami Heat during Sunday’s NBA action, marking their second consecutive victory and putting an end to a 16-game losing streak. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 32 points, while Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija added significant contributions to secure the team’s first road win since January.
“We have to stay consistent. That’s been our Achilles’ heel all year – inconsistency,” Kuzma emphasized, highlighting the team’s need for consistent performance. “We’ve been consistently inconsistent. If we can keep showing that type of fight and grit, next game against Memphis, then I might have a different answer.”
The Heat, despite efforts from Jimmy Butler and others, suffered their third straight loss, dropping to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. Kuzma’s crucial three-pointers at key moments of the game underscored Washington’s resurgence in the final quarter.
“You get to the last six minutes of the game and you don’t want to give anybody anything,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra reflected on the defensive challenges faced by his team. “Any kind of air space, especially when we’re playing possession games. You don’t want to dare anybody and they made us pay for that.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
Washington’s strategic focus on three-pointers was evident, with interim coach Brian Keefe noting, “We try to get 40. That’s been our minimum goal for each game,” after the team shot impressively from beyond the arc in the second half.
A late rally by Miami fell short as Washington managed to hold on to their lead, despite a tense final possession that saw missed opportunities by the Heat. Butler acknowledged the Heat’s failure to impose their game style, stating, “We played their game more than we played ours,” highlighting the Wizards’ ability to control the pace of the game.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
The Wizards’ ability to recapture the lead in the fourth quarter through Kuzma’s three-pointer was a turning point, with Keefe emphasizing the team’s focus on internal growth and improvement.
As both teams look ahead, the Wizards aim to continue their momentum against Memphis, while the Heat seek to rebound from their recent losses when they host Denver.
