Heat defeat Kings 114-108, led by Giannis, Klay big performances

(Mandatory credit: Miami Heat/X)

The Miami Heat made the best of their opportunity versus a bottom seed Western Conference Sacramento Kings squad on Sunday evening, earning a bounce back win with a final score of 114-108.

The victory improved Miami’s record to 4-6 on the season and dropped the Kings’ to an abysmal 1-9 overall. To Sacramento’s credit, they remained in reach up until the final minute— battling back from a blown 16-point Heat lead earlier in the game.

Darius Acuff Jr. was a problem for Miami to contain, who had the full green light in scoring and playmaking duties with Domantas Sabonis sidelined due to injury. Acuff totaled a game-high 32 points with 10 assists, 5 rebounds and over 50% shooting. He is making an early case for the Rookie of the Year award.

But outside of Acuff, no other Kings player scored over 15 points. It was a much better defensive team effort for the Heat, as they forced 18 turnovers to Miami’s 13.

Coach Erik Spoelstra made his first starting lineup change of the season by replacing the struggling Andrew Wiggins with Pelle Larsson. In his first start, Larsson scored 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting from 3-point range. But it was Giannis Antetokounmpo that led the way throughout— along with Klay Thompson catching fire in the third quarter— that helped get it done for Miami the most.

Antetokounmpo submitted an elite well-rounded effort with a team-high 29 points, 14 rebounds double-double. His impact was felt defensively, as the star secured two steals and two blocks on the night. Thompson added 22 points, including seven-made 3-pointers. Bam Adebayo continues to play well next to Antetokounmpo, as Miami’s big man dropped 18 points and 8 boards. Lastly, Davion Mitchell submitted a double-double of his own with 17 points and 11 assists.

The Heat shot 50% from the field and 42% from deep as a team, while holding Sacramento to 46% and 30%, respectively. Miami lost the rebounding battle 44-36, but finally leaned into their defense to still secure stops on route to the win. They have gone 4-2 over their last six games and will now take on the Utah Jazz Tuesday for the next matchup to conclude their five-game West Coast trip.

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