Heat set NBA record for free-throw perfection, edge Thunder

Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 35 factors, and the Miami Heat set an NBA file by making all 40 of their free throws in a 112-111 win over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night time.

Miami, which accomplished the second half with simply eight accessible gamers, additionally received 22 factors from Max Strus and 19 from Victor Oladipo.

Butler, the one customary starter within the Miami lineup, made all 23 of his free throws, tying Dominique Wilkins for the second-most made foul pictures with out a miss in NBA historical past.

Oklahoma City led 111-109 with 22.3 seconds left when Kenrich Williams missed two free throws. Aaron Wiggins grabbed an offensive rebound, however Oladipo stole the ball and Butler made a three-point play on a layup with 12.2 seconds left.

That gave Miami a 112-111 lead, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed a 3-pointer on Oklahoma City’s ultimate possession of the sport.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored a team-high 26 factors to guide the Thunder, and Josh Giddey produced a triple-double with 18 factors, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

The Thunder have misplaced six straight highway video games since beating Atlanta on Dec. 5.

The Heat have been with out Bam Adebayo (wrist), Tyler Herro (Achilles), Kyle Lowry (knee), Caleb Martin (quad), Duncan Robinson (finger), Omer Yurtseven (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (again).

In addition, Heat heart Dewayne Dedmon was ejected with 9:15 left within the second quarter. He had a heated argument together with his coaches and threw one thing onto the court docket, inflicting the ejection.

Given the brief roster, Heat undrafted rookie Orlando Robinson made his first NBA begin, scoring 4 factors.

Miami led 31-26 after a primary quarter that featured simply two factors by Gilgeous-Alexander. Miami stretched its result in 63-56 at halftime, however Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 factors within the second quarter to guide the Thunder with 17 on the half.

Oklahoma City took its first lead of the sport, 78-77, on Isaiah Joe’s 3-pointer with 5:24 left within the third quarter. But the Heat completed the third main 89-88.

The fourth quarter featured a six-point Heat possession — Oladipo’s two free throws following a steal and a clear-path foul, then a Gabe Vincent 3-pointer and free throw after he was fouled by Tre Mann.

–Field Level Media/Reuters