Sabonis’ Last-Second Magic Lifts Kings Over Heat, Concluding a Resilient Comeback
Sabonis Seals Kings’ Victory Against Heat in Nail-Biting Finale
Domantas Sabonis clinched the game for the Sacramento Kings with a critical offensive rebound and subsequent score with a mere 0.7 seconds on the clock. Battling back from a 15-point deficit, the Kings triumphed over the Miami Heat with a final score of 111-110 on Monday evening.
Sacramento’s DeAaron Fox lead the charge with a 28-point contribution, closely followed by DeMar DeRozan’s 26-point performance. Sabonis, the man of the hour, rounded out the game with a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, also providing seven assists.
Miami Heat’s Strong Individual Performances Not Enough
For the Heat, Jimmy Butler showcased his prowess, netting 15 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter alone. Tyler Herro matched Butler’s total, adding another 27 to the Heat’s tally. On a night dedicated to celebrating his Olympic gold medal, Bam Adebayo contributed a solid 16 points, while rookie Pelle Larsson impressed with 13 points.
Despite a potential game-winning 30-foot attempt by Terry Rozier, the Heat fell short, connecting only 7 of their 12 free throws in the final quarter. The defeat marked Miami’s 31st loss in 37 encounters with the Kings on their home court.
Key Takeaways and Moments
The Kings faced the challenge without Kevin Huerter due to illness, with Keon Ellis stepping up to the starting role. On the Heat’s side, Kevin Love made a return to the bench after a five-game absence due to personal reasons but remained without playtime. Additionally, the Heat were without the services of Jaime Jaquez Jr., sidelined due to gastroenteritis.
A crucial moment arose with just 1:11 remaining on the clock. The Heat were leading by five when DeRozan managed a game-altering four-point play, sparking an 8-2 run by the Kings that would conclude the game.
A Third Quarter to Forget for the Heat
Despite leading by 15 early in the third quarter, the Heat found themselves outscored 37-17 in that period. This game added to the alarming trend of third-quarter woes for the Heat, having been outscored 137-71 across four third quarters at home this season.
Looking Forward
The Kings will host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, while the Heat will kick off a six-game road trip in Phoenix the same day.
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