NBA: Warmth win fifth straight, beat Spurs

Miami Warmth ahead Duncan Robinson (55) drives to the basket in opposition to San Antonio Spurs heart Charles Bassey (28) through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in San Antonio, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photograph/Eric Homosexual)

SAN ANTONIO — The Miami Warmth have been shorthanded, taking part in the second night time of a back-to-back and taking part in in opposition to probably the most hyped prospect in many years in San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.

Miami had each excuse to lose however that they had extra grit to win.

Duncan Robinson scored 26 factors, Bam Adebayo added 24 factors and 11 rebounds, and the Miami Warmth rallied within the closing quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs 118-113 on Sunday night time for his or her fifth straight win.

Duncan’s bag of methods is beginning to appear unending 👀 at all times one thing new, he led us to our comeback win pic.twitter.com/mCQgtyASDA

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 13, 2023

“Pushing again from a 19-point deficit on the second night time of a back-to-back simply reveals our grit, reveals our dedication, perseverance,” Adebayo mentioned. “It reveals our will to win.”

Robinson and Adebayo mixed for 20 factors within the closing quarter as Miami received its fourth straight in San Antonio. Jimmy Butler added 19 factors because the Warmth overcame a 19-point deficit.

Keldon Johnson had 20 factors and 12 rebounds and Victor Wembanyama added 18 factors and 11 rebounds within the Spurs’ fifth straight loss.

Josh Richardson had 12 factors, together with six within the closing two minutes, in his return to San Antonio after being traded to Miami in February.

Bam retains rolling – one other strong double double with 6 assists & 3 steals added to the combo. pic.twitter.com/KKIZiAc452

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 13, 2023

The Warmth had runs of 17-0, 18-5 and 12-0 to rally from a number of double-digit deficits in opposition to the Spurs.

“It was our first character recreation of the 12 months,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned. “The place you must present one thing to have the ability to overcome that form of deficit. To do it on the highway, I believe it’s an excellent win and good step. Hopefully we are able to construct off that.”

With Tyler Herro lacking the sport with a sprained proper ankle, the Warmth opted to sit down Kyle Lowry to relaxation on the second night time of a back-to-back.

Miami had a sluggish begin coming off a 117-109 win in Atlanta on Saturday.

The Warmth have been held to fifteen factors within the opening quarter, the bottom by a Spurs opponent within the interval.

Wembanyama’s one-handed slam on a feed off a unfastened ball from McDermott gave the Spurs a 27-13 lead within the closing minute of the primary quarter.

Wembanyama completed 8 for 12 from the sector, together with 2 for 9 on 3-pointers, and had seven assists.

“Persons are placing numerous expectations on that child,” Adebayo mentioned. “He’s a rookie. I used to be speaking to (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich), and I used to be simply saying he don’t even actually know his routine proper now. So, for everyone to be placing these expectations on him, he’s dwelling as much as these expectations. He’s attempting to get the job finished. He’s beginning to determine it out.”

Trailing by 19 factors early within the second quarter, the Warmth rallied to forge a tie at 47-47. San Antonio would regain a double-digit lead within the third quarter solely to have Miami take its first lead because the recreation’s opening basket on a pair of free throws by Kevin Love at 75-74.

The Warmth didn’t commit a turnover within the closing quarter whereas San Antonio had six turnovers within the interval.

“It provides up,” Popovich mentioned. ”(However) they’re getting smarter every recreation.”

UP NEXT

Miami: At Charlotte on Tuesday.

Spurs: At Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday.