Phoenix Jan. 9 (U.S.): Tyler Hero has scored his best goal of the season. Duncan Robinson did, too.
It all added to a huge win for the Miami Heat, who tied their record 22 three-pointers in a 123-100 win over the NBA leaders Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, The Associated Press reported.
Hero scored 33 points, while Robinson added 27 points. Both players came off the bench for the Heat’s short-handed squad, which had 11 players on the inactive roster, including star goalkeeper Jimmy Butler.
“I still commend our group for staying at the moment, focusing on solutions and figuring out a way to improve and play well enough to win,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said. “In turn.”
The Heat made 50% of 44 attempts out of a 3-point range. Robinson had a particularly good night, capturing eight seconds on 16 attempts, including a pair in the fourth quarter that brought back the Suns’ short-lived career.
“We have a lot of guys who can really shoot, which of course helps,” Robinson said. “Sometimes shooting is contagious too. The movement of the ball is definitely contagious.
“The ball finds energy. The ball finds the open man.”
Herro had a great all-round game, hitting 12 of 20 shots, including three three-pointers. He added five rebounds and three assists. The 21-year-old is averaging over 20 points this season despite starting only 10 games.
“He just got into a great rhythm,” said Spoilstra.
The high slate didn’t stop Miami from a strong start. The Heat scored 52% in the first quarter and led 33-29.
They were better in the second quarter and pushed forward 71-50 with the break. Robinson scored 18 points from the bench, all using six three-pointers. Herro added 17 points. Miami was 15 of 30 out of a 3-point range in the first half and the bench scored 40 points.
Miami cooled off a bit in the second half but the match never came close. The Suns had snapped their three-game winning streak in a rare home loss.
It was a tough night across the board for the Suns, who entered the game with the best record in the NBA but never played like that. They struggled to consistently produce on offense and allow Heat shooters to get a lot of wide open looks in defense.
Devin Booker Suns led with 26 points, while Michael Bridges added 20 points. Booker said he was even more annoyed that the Heat didn’t meet much resistance from the Suns’ defense.
“I think they came out in a very comfortable way,” Booker said. “This is not a team that you want to give some confidence in and let them see two easy teams to get into. It was very loose. They have to do what they want.”
Hint
Heat: Butler missed his second game in a row with a right ankle sprain. … Omar Yurtseven finished with seven points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. …it’s the third time in a month that the Heat have tied their record 22 three-pointers. … Despite COVID-19 and injury issues, the Heat are 3-2 on their current road trip. Robinson usually starts but Spoelstra has kept him off the bench in the previous two games since being dropped from the COVID-19 roster. … The Heat had 11 players available, which equates to 11 players on the inactive roster.
Suns: C Deandre Ayton, F Jae Crowder and C JaVale McGee are back after spending time on the COVID-19 Reserve/List. G Landry Shamet is still in protocol. … Booker scored 13 points in the first quarter, including the jump hit at the bell. … G Cam Payne got a technical blunder after a blunder on Herro in the third quarter.
next one
Heat: Wrap up a seven-game wild ride at the Hawks on Wednesday.
Suns: Start your five-game wild ride against the Raptors on Tuesday.