Game ID: 22300831
Miami Heat @ Sacramento Kings
Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAC 33 29 19 29 110MIA 32 33 36 20 121
MIA @ SAC ScoutingMIA @ SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
SAC availability going into 2/13 · 1 day's restOUT Duarte missed 3 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Ellis back 2/05 after 7, 9 min since (51% of 17)
BACK Vezenkov back 2/07 after 7, 11 min since (86% of 12)
SAC availability going into 2/14 · back-to-backOUT Duarte missed 4 since 2/07, returns tonight: 8 min (64% of 12)
OUT Vezenkov missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Ellis back 2/05 after 7, 8 min since (49% of 17)
SAC availability going into 2/22 · 7 days' restOUT Vezenkov missed 3 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Duarte back 2/14 after 4, 8 min since (64% of 12)
SAC availability going into 2/25 · 2 days' restOUT Vezenkov missed 4 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Duarte back 2/14 after 4, 14 min since (114% of 12)
SAC availability going into 2/26 · back-to-backOUT Ellis missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Vezenkov missed 5 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Duarte back 2/14 after 4, 15 min since (119% of 12)
SAC availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Ellis missed 3 since 2/22, returns tonight: 8 min (48% of 17)
OUT Vezenkov missed 6 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Duarte back 2/14 after 4, 15 min since (124% of 12)
SAC availability going into 3/01 · 1 day's restOUT Vezenkov missed 7 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Ellis back 2/28 after 3, 8 min since (48% of 17)
BACK Duarte back 2/14 after 4, 17 min since (141% of 12)
SAC availability going into 3/04 · 2 days' restOUT Fox missed 2 since 2/28, returns tonight: 39 min (108% of 36)
OUT Vezenkov missed 8 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Ellis back 2/28 after 3, 13 min since (78% of 17)
SAC availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Vezenkov missed 9 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Fox back 3/04 after 2, 39 min since (108% of 36)
BACK Ellis back 2/28 after 3, 13 min since (78% of 17)
MIA availability going into 2/11 · 3 days' restOUT Bryant missed 4 since 2/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 17 since 1/08, out tonight
BACK Robinson back 2/06 after 3, 20 min since (75% of 27)
BACK Jović back 2/07 after 5, 2 min since (12% of 20)
MIA availability going into 2/13 · 1 day's restOUT Bryant missed 5 since 2/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 18 since 1/08, returns tonight: 6 min (63% of 10)
BACK Robinson back 2/06 after 3, 24 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Jović back 2/07 after 5, 2 min since (12% of 20)
MIA availability going into 2/14 · back-to-backOUT Butler III missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 6 since 2/02, out tonight
BACK Robinson back 2/06 after 3, 25 min since (93% of 27)
BACK Jović back 2/07 after 5, 16 min since (82% of 20)
BACK Cain back 2/13 after 18, 6 min since (63% of 10)
MIA availability going into 2/23 · 8 days' restOUT Butler III missed 3 since 2/11, returns tonight: 27 min (79% of 34)
OUT Rozier missed 2 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 2 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 7 since 2/02, out tonight
BACK Robinson back 2/06 after 3, 26 min since (98% of 27)
BACK Jović back 2/07 after 5, 16 min since (78% of 20)
BACK Cain back 2/13 after 18, 8 min since (82% of 10)
MIA availability going into 2/26 · 2 days' restOUT Rozier missed 3 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 3 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 8 since 2/02, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 2/23 after 3, 27 min since (79% of 34)
BACK Jović back 2/07 after 5, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Cain back 2/13 after 18, 8 min since (82% of 10)
MIA availability going into 2/27 · back-to-backOUT Rozier missed 4 since 2/13, returns tonight: 30 min (96% of 32)
OUT Richardson missed 4 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 9 since 2/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 2/23, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 2/23 after 3, 27 min since (79% of 34)
NEW Robinson 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Highsmith 21 to 26 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 2/29 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 2 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 5 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 10 since 2/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 3 since 2/23, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 2/23 after 3, 30 min since (89% of 34)
BACK Rozier back 2/27 after 4, 30 min since (96% of 32)
NEW Robinson 27 to 32 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 3 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 6 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 11 since 2/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 4 since 2/23, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 2/23 after 3, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Rozier back 2/27 after 4, 32 min since (100% of 32)
NEW Robinson 27 to 34 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/05 · 2 days' restOUT Herro missed 4 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 7 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 2 since 2/29, out tonight
OUT Bryant missed 12 since 2/02, returns tonight: 5 min (46% of 12)
OUT Cain missed 5 since 2/23, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 2/23 after 3, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Rozier back 2/27 after 4, 32 min since (101% of 32)
NEW Robinson 27 to 35 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Sabonis at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Ellis (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 102, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Adebayo at 21 and Herro at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Rozier (3 straight), Richardson (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to Sacramento's 117. Call it Sacramento 114, Miami 113, Miami keeping it close.
2/13 @ PHX 125-130 — SAC notes
SAC lost 125-130. SAC took 10 more shots (95 to 85), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 52% to PHX's 52%, 9 of 31 from three, and got to the line 24 times to PHX's 36. The glass went 50-39 for them. Fox led with 40 (14 of 31, 5 of 12 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Sabonis added 35, Monk 22. Q2 was theirs, 28-26, but the other 3 periods went 104-97 against them. They led by as many as 11. Fox's -9 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/14 @ DEN 102-98 — SAC notes
SAC won 102-98. SAC shot 44% (39 of 89) to DEN's 39%, 9 of 33 from three. Fox led with 30 (12 of 26, 2 of 7 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Sabonis added 20, Barnes 20. The hinge was Q3, 30-21: the deficit went from 12 to 3. SAC trailed 41-53 at the half and won the second half 61-45. Fox was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
2/22 vs SAS 127-122 — SAC notes
SAC won 127-122. SAC shot 56% (52 of 93) to SAS's 51%, 13 of 33 from three. Fox led with 28 (12 of 18, 2 of 6 from three); Sabonis added 22, Huerter 21. The hinge was Q2, 35-25: SAC came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 8. Sabonis was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
2/25 @ LAC 123-107 — SAC notes
SAC won 123-107. SAC shot 49% (45 of 91) to LAC's 49%, 15 of 37 from three. SAC turned it over 10 times to LAC's 15. Fox led with 33 (12 of 22, 0 of 4 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Barnes added 22, Sabonis 17. The hinge was Q2, 33-23: SAC came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 7, and the lead reached 18. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/26 vs MIA 110-121 — SAC notes
SAC lost 110-121. SAC shot 53% (45 of 85) to MIA's 52%, 13 of 32 from three, and got to the line just 12 times against 20 fouls committed. Murray led with 28 (10 of 14, 6 of 7 from three); Fox added 27, Sabonis 14. Q4 was theirs, 29-20, the deficit cut from 20 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 101-81 against them. They led by as many as 10. Barnes's -18 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/28 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Porter Jr. at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 32 and Sabonis at 22 a game. Without Ellis (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 108 a night to Sacramento's 116 and the arc, Sacramento at 36 percent from three to Denver's 31. Call it Denver 117, Sacramento 112.
3/01 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 99, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 16 free throws a game; Fox at 30 and Sabonis at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to Sacramento's 113. Call it Minnesota 115, Sacramento 108.
3/04 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Monk at 19 a game. Without Fox (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 23 and Vučević at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Craig (5 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, Sacramento at 39 percent from three to Chicago's 30 and the glass, where Chicago has been plus-6 a night and Sacramento plus-1. Call it Sacramento 117, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/06 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 25 a game. Without Vanderbilt (13 straight), Vincent (35 straight), Wood (7 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 27 and Murray at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-5 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 36. Call it the Lakers 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
2/11 vs BOS 106-110 — MIA notes
MIA lost 106-110. MIA took 16 more shots (97 to 81), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to BOS's 51%, 12 of 40 from three. Herro led with 24 (10 of 21, 4 of 12 from three); Adebayo added 22, Martin 15. Q4 was theirs, 27-24, the deficit cut from 7 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 86-79 against them. Love's -10 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/13 @ MIL 123-97 — MIA notes
MIA won 123-97. MIA shot 52% (45 of 87) to MIL's 45%, 19 of 40 from three, and went to the line 18 times to MIL's 11 — 14 points from the stripe to their 10. Jović led with 24 (8 of 13, 5 of 8 from three); D. Robinson added 23, Herro 19. The hinge was Q1, 40-28: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 31. Adebayo was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
2/14 @ PHI 109-104 — MIA notes
MIA won 109-104. MIA shot 48% (42 of 88) to PHI's 48%, 11 of 35 from three. Adebayo led with 23 (9 of 14); Herro added 23, Robinson 20. The hinge was Q4, 26-22: a lead of 1 became 5. MIA trailed 60-62 at the half and won the second half 49-42. Robinson was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
2/23 @ NOP 106-95 — MIA notes
MIA won 106-95. MIA shot 46% (38 of 82) to NOP's 38%, 13 of 29 from three, and went to the line 25 times to NOP's 13 — 17 points from the stripe to their 10. Adebayo led with 24 (11 of 18); Butler III added 23, Robinson 17. The hinge was Q1, 31-24: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Butler III was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
2/26 @ SAC 121-110 — MIA notes
MIA won 121-110. MIA shot 52% (45 of 87) to SAC's 53%, 11 of 30 from three, and went to the line 25 times to SAC's 12 — 20 points from the stripe to their 7. Adebayo led with 28 (11 of 18, 6 of 7 at the line); Jaquez Jr. added 26, Love 19. The hinge was Q3, 36-19: a lead of 3 became 20. Robinson was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/27 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 95 a night and allowing 112, shooting 41 percent and 26 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grant at 19 and Ayton at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Sharpe (19 straight), Brogdon (7 straight), Henderson (2 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Adebayo at 23 and Herro at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Rozier (4 straight), Richardson (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 38 percent from three to Portland's 26 and the defense, Miami allowing 103 a night to Portland's 112. Call it Miami 111, Portland 106.
2/29 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 105, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Jokić at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 100, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Adebayo at 21 and Herro at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Herro (2 straight), Richardson (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 42 percent from three to Denver's 35 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and Miami minus-1. Call it Denver 111, Miami 109, Miami keeping it close.
3/02 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 102, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Adebayo at 22 and Butler III at 22 a game. Without Herro (3 straight), Richardson (6 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Markkanen at 19 a game. Without Juzang (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to Utah's 121. Call it Miami 116, Utah 110.
3/05 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Butler III at 26 and Adebayo at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Herro (4 straight), Richardson (7 straight), Love (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 23 and Fontecchio at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Evbuomwan (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the arc, Miami at 40 percent from three to Detroit's 35. Call it Miami 114, Detroit 106.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MIAAW A. Williams
BA B. Adebayo
CM C. Martin
CS C. Swider
DR D. Robinson
DW D. Wright
HH H. Highsmith
JJ J. Jaquez Jr.
KL K. Love
SACCD C. Duarte
DF D. Fox
DM D. Mitchell
DS D. Sabonis
HB H. Barnes
KH K. Huerter
KM K. Murray
MM M. Monk
TL T. Lyles
MIA/SAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
The short-handed Heat beat the Kings 121-110 for their 4th straight win
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Bam Adebayo scored 28 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr . added 26 and the short-handed Miami Heat beat the Sacramento Kings 121-110 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.
Kevin Love provided a big spark with 19 points off the bench and Caleb Martin scored 16 for the Heat, who were missing three starters because of injuries or suspensions — including star Jimmy Butler .
“When you’re missing a guy like that, everybody has to step up,” Jaquez said. “He’s such a big part of our team and missing him is something that we obviously feel. But no matter, we've still got to play a game. Guys have to step up and we want to do it for those guys.”
Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his NBA-high 21st triple-double of the season. Sabonis also became the 10th player in league history with 40 straight double-doubles in a season.
Keegan Murray scored 28 points and De'Aaron Fox added 27 for Sacramento, but the Kings were unable to build on a big road win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and had their three-game winning streak snapped.
“They came here and they played well both offensively and defensively,” Fox said. “We have to be better. I can't turn the ball over like I did. But it's not like they didn't come in here and make tough shots.”
The key absences led to Miami's 30th different starting lineup in the 57th game of the season. Butler, Nikola Jovic and Thomas Bryant served suspensions for their role in a fight Friday night at New Orleans. Tyler Herro (left knee), Terry Rozier (right knee), Josh Richardson (right shoulder) and Orlando Robinson (back) were out with injuries.
But that didn't derail the Heat, who got plenty of contributions from unheralded players like Delon Wright , who scored 13 points in his Miami debut, and reserve Haywood Highsmith , who scored all 15 of his points in the first half.
The Heat withstood a 20-4 run by Sacramento spanning the first-quarter break to take a 65-62 halftime lead and just built from there.
Love scored 10 points during a 17-2 run to end the third quarter with Miami ahead 101-81.
“He just allowed us to kind of go retro Kevin Love, where we were just running our offense through him,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s so clever, physical, smart. For short stretches he’s every bit as good as he was and you saw that tonight.”
The Kings tried to mount a comeback, getting one 3-pointer from Kevin Huerter and two from Murray in less than a minute to spark a 14-1 run that cut the deficit to six midway through the fourth on a floater by Fox.
Sacramento got as close as two points on a layup by Fox with 3:41 left, but back-to-back baskets from Jaquez helped hold off the Kings.
“That’s what this group is about,” Spoelstra said. “It really became so much less about anything in the huddle or coaching. Just use your competitive spirit and figure out how to win this game.”