Jimmy Butler scored 26 points and the Miami Heat withstood another furious comeback from the Los Angeles Clippers during a 121-114 victory Friday night.
Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who have won 10 of 12. Gabe Vincent finished with 23 points.
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Jimmy Butler scored 26 points and the Miami Heat withstood another furious comeback from the Los Angeles Clippers during a 121-114 victory Friday night.
Down 23 late in the third period, the Clippers closed to 117-113 on Amir Coffey’s layup with 33 seconds remaining. Butler hit four foul shots on Miami’s final two possessions to secure the win. He converted all 14 of his free-throw attempts.
Limited to three points in the first half, Vincent hit six 3-pointers in the third as the Heat extended a 12-point lead at halftime. Duncan Robinson’s 3 with 5:06 remaining in the period gave Miami its largest lead at 85-62.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Luke Kennard (5) goes to the basket over Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson, left, and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
The Eastern Conference-leading Heat snapped a six-game losing streak against the Clippers. Miami's last win over Los Angeles was on Dec. 8, 2018.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) goes to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Down 23 late in the third period, the Clippers closed to 117-113 on Amir Coffey’s layup with 33 seconds remaining. Butler hit four foul shots on Miami’s final two possessions to secure the win. He converted all 14 of his free-throw attempts.
For Los Angeles, the late rally followed the team's historic 35-point comeback in its 116-115 win over Washington on Tuesday.
Luke Kennard scored 23 points for the Clippers, including 16 in the fourth quarter. Eric Bledsoe finished with 19 points.
Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) shoots over Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Limited to three points in the first half, Vincent hit six 3-pointers in the third as the Heat extended a 12-point lead at halftime. Duncan Robinson’s 3 with 5:06 remaining in the period gave Miami its largest lead at 85-62.
The Heat converted 26 of 27 free throws and had 28 assists.
Miami’s Kyle Lowry and Los Angeles’ Marcus Morris missed their sixth and third games, respectively, because of personal reasons.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) goes to the basket and Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Eric Bledsoe (12) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
TIP-INS
Clippers: F Justise Winslow scored 10 points against the club that drafted him with the 10th overall pick in 2015. Miami traded Winslow to Memphis in 2020. ... Dropped to 3-3 on their six-game road trip.
Heat: Led by Vincent, Miami went 15 for 34 from 3-point range. ... P.J. Tucker had 18 points, and Duncan Robinson finished with 16.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Justise Winslow, right, looks to pass as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
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Clippers: Visit Charlotte on Sunday.
Heat: Close their four-game homestand against Toronto on Saturday.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) goes to the basket as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, left, and forward Caleb Martin (16) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Luke Kennard (5) goes to the basket over Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson, left, and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Miami. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky)