The Miami Heat tightened their grip in the fourth quarter and capitalized on a severely depleted Golden State lineup, defeating the Warriors 110–96 on Wednesday night. Norman Powell led Miami with 25 points, while Bam Adebayo made a strong return from injury, finishing with 20 points in his first game back after missing six contests with a toe issue.

Former Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins added 17 points for Miami, and rookie center Kel’el Ware dominated the glass with 16 rebounds. The Heat outscored the Warriors 38–22 in the final period to pull away for good.

Golden State’s six-game, nine-day road trip ended with a roster that barely resembled its usual form. The Warriors were without their four highest-paid players — Stephen Curry (ankle), former Heat forward Jimmy Butler (back), Draymond Green (illness), and Jonathan Kuminga (knee) — a group earning roughly $162 million this season.

Veteran Al Horford, who does not play back-to-backs, also sat after appearing Tuesday in Orlando.

Despite the absences, the Warriors fought. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 20 points, Quinten Post scored 19, and Buddy Hield added 18. But costly mistakes doomed them: Golden State committed 23 turnovers, which Miami converted into 34 points. The Heat committed 14 turnovers themselves — but the Warriors produced only 14 points off them.

Both teams scuffled offensively, combining to shoot just 38.4%, the second-worst combined field-goal percentage in the NBA this season. Only Toronto’s win over Atlanta on Nov. 7 — a 37.4% combined mark — was worse.

Miami jumped out to a 20–4 lead, Golden State’s largest first-quarter deficit of the year. But the Heat sputtered offensively in the second quarter, scoring just 19 points as the Warriors climbed back and eventually took their first lead at 60–59 on Post’s basket midway through the third.

Golden State later held a 74–69 edge, but Miami responded with the decisive push — a 21–4 run stretching from late in the third into the fourth that broke the game open.

Adebayo’s return provided an immediate boost, particularly defensively and on the boards. Miami is still awaiting the season debut of guard Tyler Herro following offseason ankle surgery, though he is expected back soon.

The Heat improved to 110–96 with strong bench contributions and timely defensive pressure, particularly down the stretch when Golden State’s fatigue showed.

Warriors: Host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Heat: Travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Friday.