Field Level Media
Jan 2, 2022
De'Aaron Fox, who went scoreless in the first quarter, made two go-ahead free throws with 6.2 seconds left to lead the host Sacramento Kings to a 115-113 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday night.
On the ensuing possession, Miami's Jimmy Butler drove into the lane, but his turnaround jumper bounced off the rim as the Heat had their five-game win streak broken.
Fox finished with 24 points as the Kings won for the third time in four games. Buddy Hield led Sacramento with a game-high 26 points, making 7 of 14 3-pointers.
Omer Yurtseven scored a career-best 22 points and grabbed a career-high and game-high 16 rebounds to lead Miami. Tyler Herro, also scoreless in the first quarter, shared Miami honors with Yurtseven with 22 points. Butler had 21 points, and Kyle Lowry had 14 points and a game-high-tying 12 assists.
Miami was without 11 players who are either injured or in COVID protocol.
The Kings were much healthier, although starting center Richaun Holmes sat out due to COVID protocols.
With Holmes out, Damian Jones got his first start of the season, scoring 18 points and grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings in assists (12) and had nine points.
Sacramento, which led by as many as 11 points early, had a 26-18 advantage at the conclusion of the first quarter, shooting 52.6 percent from the floor -- including 4-for-7 on 3-pointers -- during those opening 12 minutes. Miami shot just 32.0 percent, including 1-for-9 on 3-pointers.
Although the score at one point was tied 40-40, Sacramento finished the first half on top, 61-57.
Jones led all first-half scorers with 14 points.
There were seven lead changes and three tie scores in a third quarter that ended, fittingly, knotted up at 90. Herro had his second straight 10-point quarter in the third.
Miami led 99-92 with 9:52 left in the fourth, but Sacramento went on a 14-4 run.
The Heat trailed 113-109 when Butler picked up an assist on a Yurtseven jumper and then made a driving bucket off the glass to tie the score with 27 seconds left.
Fox, though, had the final heroics, driving into the lane and getting fouled by Herro.
For the game, Sacramento shot 51.3 percent, including 13 of 34 3-pointers.
Miami had an 18-7 edge in offensive rebounds, but the Heat shot just 43.8 percent, including 9-for-33 from deep.
--Field Level Media