Bam Adebayo Leads Heat to Narrow Win Over Clippers
Bam Adebayo scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Miami Heat edged the Los Angeles Clippers 120-119 on Monday night. Norman Powell added 21 points in his return to Southern California, helping the Heat snap a two-game losing streak and secure their second road win in five games.
Key Performances
- Andrew Wiggins contributed 17 points to the Heat’s effort.
- Kel’el Ware added 16 points, aiding Miami’s comeback.
- James Harden led the Clippers with 29 points.
- Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points for Los Angeles.
- Ivica Zubac posted nine points and 18 rebounds for the Clippers.
- Derrick Jones Jr., Bradley Beal, and John Collins each scored 12 points.
Game Highlights
The Heat shot an efficient 54.2% from the field and made 12 of 25 three-point attempts, while the Clippers converted 50% of their 3-pointers, going 17 of 41. Miami capitalized on Los Angeles’ 21 turnovers, turning them into 37 points.
Miami led 120-116 after two free throws from Adebayo with 56 seconds remaining. Adebayo missed a shot inside with 26 seconds left, then Harden hit a 3-pointer at the 20-second mark to pull the Clippers within one point. However, Leonard missed a 26-foot step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the Heat’s victory.
The Clippers had trailed by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before tying the game at 105 with 9:55 left, thanks to a three-pointer from veteran Chris Paul.
Upcoming Games
- Heat will face Denver on Wednesday night.
- Clippers host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Summary: Bam Adebayo’s strong all-around play and Miami’s ability to exploit turnovers propelled the Heat to a tight 120-119 victory over the Clippers, overcoming a late Los Angeles rally.