Nets 73, Heat 70: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions – Hoops Hype

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU

Kawhi Leonard death staring Sean Wright right now after scoring through Hunter without a foul.

Now it’s an 8-0 LA run. Hawks lead down to 79-78. 3:12 left in third quarter.

Feels like the Heat game. Same damn script almost. – 10:35 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

The Nets have won 18 of their last 20 games — but as they left Miami they were trying to remain hopeful that KD wouldn’t have to miss too much time after injuring his knee. Now they wait to see what the MRI says on Monday. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:30 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar

SGA on the upcoming TNT game vs Miami on Tuesday night: “To be honest, we haven’t spoke much about it. We just try to carry the good things over every night and leave the bad things in the past. It’ll be on national TV though, it’ll be fun.” – 10:17 PM

Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007

SGA on playing on TNT in their next game vs. the Heat: “To be honest, we haven’t spoken much about it… It’ll be on TNT and it’ll be fun for sure, but we’re not focusing on that.” – 10:16 PM

Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes

Worth noting both of Durant’s previous MCL injuries were consistent w/ a more moderate sprain w/ the 1st sprain a confirmed G2 injury accompanied by a bone contusion of the tibia. The MRI will be crucial to determining the severity of a possible sprain & the subsequent time lost. – 10:15 PM

Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT

A back-n-forth tilt with the Brooklyn Nets came down to a final collision at the rim.

@CoupNBA‘s has the Takeaways on everything that got us to that point in tonight’s competitive matchup ⬇️ – 9:59 PM

Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes

Re: Kevin Durant: When Butler falls into KD, it loads his knee with a valgus force. This mechanism of injury stresses the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Durant has endured two other MCL sprains in the opposite knee. He missed 19 games in 2016-17 and 21 games in 2021-22. – 9:55 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Kyrie when asked about KD potentially missing time:

“We don’t have any time for any excuses. We just have to keep moving forward.” – 9:26 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA

This is now the 3rd time since 2017 KD has gotten hurt by someone falling and crashing into his knee. First two were to his left leg, this time to his right. Usual not a doctor caveats, but I’m guessing this one will be a low grade MCL. – 9:17 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Bam Adebayo says he has been dealing with the right hand injury for some time. He calls it a day-to-day injury and doesn’t expect it to keep him out for an extended stretch. – 9:11 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Y’all been talking about Orlando Robinson or Dewayne Dedmon

Get ready for Orlando Robinson *and* Dewayne Dedmon – 9:07 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Tyler Herro keeps saying “I’m good, I’m good” when talking postgame

Says he slipped in a wet spot on the court on that final play – 8:59 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Actually thought there were a lot of promising signs in this game, specifically offensively for Miami

They’ve had wins that haven’t moved me

Some decent trends in this loss

Still a tough finish

Now all eyes on the injury report – 8:57 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Spo on Orlando Robinson tonight:

“He’s earned the minutes, and the way he was sprinting to the rim in some of the pick and rolls, and generating some confusion led to some clean looks.” – 8:49 PM

Isaiah Todd @zaytodd

I just heard my brother voice on tik tok man I miss you TC no cap 💔. They know who you are bro they know . – 8:44 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

For those confused on Vaughn’s Durant answer, the team will fly back from Miami tonight, KD will get an MRI and what not when team is back in NYC. So no update coming tonight. – 8:41 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Jacque Vaughn said he didn’t want to use his last timeout to draw something up before the Royce O’Neale tip-in. Kyrie seemed to read his mind on what he’d want anyway. – 8:40 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets

“We couldn’t stop them. They scored 43 [in the fourth quarter}… We put ourselves in a good place for three quarters where we really played well. Just our defense in the fourth wasn’t good enough.” – 8:39 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Jacque Vaughn said Kevin Durant will get imaging on his right knee tomorrow.

JV said KD dapped up every one of his teammates coming back into the locker room after the win. – 8:39 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds

Vaughn said he did not ask Durant how he was feeling. It should be noted that Vaughn is doing a lot of smiling in here, which I doubt he would be doing if he just got really bad news. – 8:37 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Jacque Vaughn said Kevin Durant will get imaging on his left knee tomorrow.

JV said KD dapped up every one of his teammates coming back into the locker room after the win. – 8:36 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Credit to the Heat for drawing up a solid play of misdirections to get a Butler drive

Don’t get the call

Looked like a foul to me – 8:30 PM

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina

that definitely looked like a foul by royce o’neale. also tyler herro’s random slip on the last play looked extremely painful. – 8:27 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

Nets win again. Butler misses at the buzzer — there was a lot of contact at the rim on the final play. Royce O’Neale ends up with another game winner.

Now the Nets have to hope for the best about KD’s knee. – 8:27 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA

Nets win. Looked like Butler got fouled on the drive. Of real concern is that Tyler Herro went down hard and then limped off the floor after the game. – 8:26 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Final: Nets beat the Heat 102-101 behind Royce O’Neale’s last-second putback. Obviously the bigger story is Kevin Durant and his knee. Will see what we can learn. Coverage coming. – 8:26 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

Not exactly the best decision there by Kyrie Irving, but the Nets catch the right bounce on the offensive rebound. – 8:22 PM

Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT

Brooklyn scores, we’re down 102-101 with 3.2 seconds left. Our ball.

Catch the finish on Bally Sports Sun 📺 – 8:22 PM

Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob

Jacque Vaughn should get a ton of credit for what he’s done with the Nets. The early season Kyrie and Simmons circus isn’t even being discussed of late and the team is rolling. – 8:22 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Timeout Jacque Vaughn. Heat lead the Nets 97-96 with 3:31 left. Seth Curry up to 12 points and has heated up since KD went out. They need it. Wonder if we see a little more T.J. Warren for offense. – 8:12 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg

Re: Orlando Robinson and when he plays, it’s important to remember that he’s on a two-way contract with a limited number of days remaining and it’s unclear if the Heat will be able to promote him to the 15-man roster. – 8:06 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

For context, Kevin Durant sprained his left MCL against the Pelicans in mid-January 2022. So different knee than last year’s injury. – 8:06 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Nic Claxton with a pair of recent baskets to cut the Heat lead to five. It’s 90-85 with 8:20 left. Nets have to win this one without KD. – 8:00 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Victor Oladipo’s two-way play has really elevated the ceiling of this team. He’s not making many shots tonight, but he’s still making an impact. – 7:55 PM

Frank Isola @TheFrankIsola

Kevin Durant remained in the game for two possessions after appearing to injury his right knee when Jimmy Butler fell into him. Durant eventually went to the locker room. – 7:53 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed

Kevin Durant is hunched over on the sidelines, walking back to the Nets locker room after two plays tonight that he has ended up grabbing at his right knee. Brooklyn’s championship hopes begin and end with Durant. Tough draw. – 7:50 PM

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney

Kevin Durant going back to the locker room in Miami with what looked like some kind of knee problem. The holding of breath begins. – 7:49 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA

Oh no. Jimmy Butler feel into Kevin Durant’s knee. KD tried to stay in, but asked out and immediately headed to the Nets locker room. – 7:49 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis

Kevin Durant turned the ball over on the next possession, looks to be massaging his knee on defense afterwards. #Nets take a timeout down 80-79 with :36.6 left in the third. – 7:48 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

They needed Tyler Herro right here

Non-Bam and Butler minutes

And that’s the blueprint:

Oladipo rim pressure into a kick and open 3 for Herro – 7:48 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

Butler got blocked and fell back into KD’s right knee. KD stayed on the ground for a few seconds but remains in the game. He’s still grabbing at it a little bit as the Nets call time out. He’s in pain. – 7:48 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Kevin Durant just went down and grabbed his knee, Got back up and was fine.

Looked like he just went knee to knee. – 7:30 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg

If that last BKN possession is any indication, the Heat are going to be even more aggressive sending two when Kyrie has the ball. – 7:26 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis

#Nets lead the #Heat 66-64 after a first half that saw precious little resistance on either side Joe Harris’ failed attempt to take a charge on Bam may have been their toughest defense of the half. Brooklyn shot .590 percent, Miami .542. Kyrie Irving has 24, but they need stops. – 7:11 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Halftime: Nets lead the Heat 66-64. Kyrie Irving is feeling it. He’s got 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Second-highest scoring half for a Net this season behind KD in Chicago (28). Heat have received help from everyone. Jimmy Butler leads with 11. Should be a good second half. – 7:09 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Halftime: Nets 66, Heat 64. Fun half of basketball. Incredible shot-making on both sides, which is the norm for the Nets but hasn’t been the norm for the Heat this season. – 7:08 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Heat down 66-64 at half

They’ve been efficient, and they’ve gotten a bit from everybody

This is what an offense looks like that’s not one dimensional

Second half should be interesting – 7:08 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

Kyrie with a big first half in Miami. He’s got 24 points — 8/12 from the field and 5/8 from beyond the arc in 19 minutes.

The Nets are shooting 59 percent from the field.

This should be a fun game down the stretch. A little more intensity from both of these teams than usual. – 7:08 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Kyrie Irving up to 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 shooting on threes. Kevin Durant with 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field.

They’re good. – 7:07 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Yuta Watanabe just hit a three right in front of Joe Tsai, who pointed to the corner and said something to the guy he’s sitting with.

I couldn’t read his lips but I’d guess something along the lines of, “He doesn’t miss from there.” – 7:03 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

I don’t have the stats for Miami’s expected field goal percentage on their shot chart in this first half.

But I’d bet they’re shooting way better than whatever it is. They’ve hit a lot of difficult shots. – 7:01 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Jimmy Butler with a tough take. Heat lead the Nets 59-56 with 2:44 left in the first half. Fun game so far. KD and Kyrie have combined for 31. – 6:59 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Heat are simply clicking in the half-court at a level we haven’t seen often

7 of 13 from three helps

But still they seem on a string – 6:59 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg

Kyle Lowry doing Kyle Lowry things to create fastbreak points out of nothing. Credit to Max Strus for leaking out there. – 6:55 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Nets shooting 60.6 percent from the field, but Heat hanging around behind its own efficient shooting.

Heat shooting 54.1 percent from the field, including 7 of 13 on threes. – 6:54 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

I’m not sure why Seth Curry is so hesitant to shoot the ball when he’s open.

Pump-faked open looks several times in New Orleans. Has done it twice early here, with the last resulting in a shot-clock violation. – 6:47 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Man Gabe Vincent has been outstanding defensively tonight

Not an easy matchup

He’s so grounded on all these moves by Kyrie – 6:47 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

By the way Jimmy Butler no longer is wearing the beads in his braids because the NBA told them they were a potential health hazard. – 6:43 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Kyrie is 5/8 from the field and 3/5 from three to start this one.

He looks great after an off night in New Orleans. – 6:43 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Heat again playing a three-guard lineup with Vincent, Herro and Oladipo on the court together. Going super small around Adebayo right now with Strus at the four. – 6:40 PM

Jason Dumas @JDumasReports

Hurts didn’t have to play today if you’re not going to allow him to improvise and expose the defense when it breaks down. Not talking about recklessness/designed runs but this cookie cutter leash is annoying. It’s Davis Mills for christ sake. – 6:39 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Nets felt like the better team in that first quarter.

Defense was smothering out of the gate. Victor Oladipo hit a couple threes off the bench and Miami threw in a couple of prayers in the final minutes.

We’ll see how Brooklyn responds. – 6:38 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis

TJ Warren hits a 3-pointer with :01.6 left in the first quarter, but the #Nets allow a crazy Vincent 3-point circus shot at the buzzer. They lead 31-30. – 6:38 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed

First TJ Warren hits a pull up 3. Then Gabe Vincent hits a turnaround fading 3 at the buzzer.

This one’s been fun. Nets lead Heat, 31-30, entering Q2. – 6:37 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Quite the sequence to end the first quarter:

T.J. Warren drills a deep pull-up three and Gabe Vincent answers with a buzzer beater triple while falling out of bounds on the right wing.

Nets lead 31-30 after one. – 6:37 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

End of the first quarter: Nets lead the Heat 31-30. T.J. Warren just hit a deep 3 before the buzzer. Gabe Vincent said hold my beer. Hits one to beat the buzzer, too. Warren has eight points on five shots. Irving leads with 11. – 6:36 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

Six points were scored in the final 1.6 seconds of the first quarter of Heat-Nets. A Warren 3-pointer and a Vincent 3-pointer. – 6:36 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

End of first quarter: Nets 31, Heat 30.

Some impressive shot-making from both teams in that quarter. Jimmy Butler with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field. Victor Oladipo with six points and two assists. – 6:36 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Miami’s defensive strategy looks fairly clear here:

Whoever is guarding Ben Simmons is playing centerfield and helping. They’re putting the onus on him to do something about it. – 6:33 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Nets lead the Heat 20-13 with 5:32 left. Kevin Durant with seven early points. Kyrie with eight. Nets open 8-for-12 from the field. – 6:27 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Heat call timeout

Durant’s just doing the things you can’t have an answer for

Highsmith bailing them out a ton offensively

Length continues to be an awkward matchup for Heat – 6:26 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg

Absolutely perfect defensive possession by the Nets. Bam got Kyrie in the post, Simmons kicked him out, rotations on point. Then Haywood Highsmith banked in a desperate 3 at the end of the shot clock. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. – 6:23 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Kevin Durant (26,670 points) has moved past Dominique Wilkins (26,668 points) into 14th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Next up: Oscar Robertson (26,710 points). – 6:23 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in the Heat’s house tonight. The league has business meetings here this week.

Also DJ Khaled is here. – 6:18 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg

The Heat have Jimmy Butler on Durant but are willingly switching everything early on. Both teams have taken two 3-pointers in the first two minutes. Game being played to the Nets’ preferred pace but Heat aren’t shying away from it. – 6:15 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

There was a defensive miscommunication there between Durant and Irving that led to Herro’s open three. Nets went on to call an early timeout. – 6:15 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Jacque Vaughn calls an early timeout after seeing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving deep in conversation over something. Nets lead 7-2. – 6:14 PM

Erik Slater @erikslater_

Just an observation from some Nets away games:

You see far more Nets gear in opposing arenas than you ever used to. I’ve come across a significant number of Brooklyn fans walking around here today. – 6:08 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Greetings from Miami. Nets-Heat tip in 10-15 minutes. Always a close game between these two down here. Bam is a game-time decision, but is warming up. Good matchup between him and Clax. This arena is freezing. Updates to come. – 5:55 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

There’s just something in the air of a Nets vs Bam Adebayo game

But now the aggression won’t come as a surprise

It’s normal now – 5:37 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

Haywood Highsmith getting the start in place of sidelined Caleb Martin. Adebayo, Butler, Herro and Lowry the other Heat starters. Inactive are Yurtseven, Jovic, Duncan Robinson and Martin. Yurtseven is back on his feet and walking around the locker room. – 5:36 PM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange

Nice thing about his replay is you can see Shaedon Sharpe get above the square to try and block Achiuwa’s shot over and over again. If anything he was trying to use his arm to try and avoid hitting his head on the board. Kid’s springs are bananas. – 5:32 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

Spo with high praise of KD/Kyrie: “There’s great players in this league, and then there’s great players that are [on] a different level. You can’t really do anything to scheme against them, you just have to do what you do extremely well. You can’t make mistakes.” – 5:24 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds

Heat started 9-8 in LeBron’s first season and lost title to Dallas.

Dolphins are 9-8 in McDaniel’s first season. Dolphins-Cowboys Super Bowl now assured. It is written.

(I reserve right to delete this later.) – 5:20 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Going into tonight, Nets have the top offensive rating in the NBA in their past 10 games (122.5) and second in defensive rating (110.8). – 4:41 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Bam Adebayo is now available

Heat now rather healthy tonight, aside from Caleb Martin

Bam vs the Nets

Always a good show – 4:40 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Jacque Vaughn on Bam Adebayo:

Talks about his scoring jump, then says

“He could guard 1 through 5. Really special talent that they have here.” – 4:34 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Jacque Vaughn on facing the Heat tonight:

“Just their culture, the way they’re extremely disciplined, how hard they play.”

“Always a tough game playing against these guys.” – 4:33 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang

Erik Spoelstra said Bam Adebayo took a knee to the back of his leg during Friday’s win over the Suns. Adebayo remains questionable for today’s game vs. Nets. – 4:20 PM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange

Raptors lead Portland 34-27 after 1Q. Siakam with 13/3/3. Blazers have no answer. Barnes have eight — his best 1Q since Dec. 23 vs. Cavs (11). Shaedon Sharpe hit a three in his first field goal attempt at Scotiabank Arena. – 4:08 PM

Casey Holdahl @CHold

Shaedon Sharpe says his standard Tim Horton’s order is two croissants with butter on top, an iced coffee and maybe some birthday cake Timbits. – 3:40 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

Reminder: Today’s Heat game vs the Brooklyn Nets and all pre-game/halftime/postgame programming associated with the game will air on WAXY AM 790 and 104.3 FM HD2. – 3:13 PM

Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050

Chauncey Billups called London, Ontario’s Shaedon Sharpe “Uber talented”.

Billups on the Canadian rookie: “His skill level is unmatched. There’s just a gracefulness about him that he’s blessed with, that most guys don’t have.” – 2:29 PM

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons

1. Mac has been fantastic today.

2. The Pats losing and finishing 8-9 but making the playoffs because Pitt choked and Flacco beat Miami would be one of the weirdest moments in franchise history. And there’s been a LOT of weird moments. – 2:14 PM

Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT

#BKNvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Bam Adebayo (left posterior thigh bruise) and Tyler Herro (back spasms) are both listed as questionable to play in tonight’s game vs the Nets.

Caleb Martin (quad) is listed as doubtful. – 1:48 PM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42

I would like to recommend college OT rules for the rest of this Jets-Miami classic.

Start each possession on the 25 – 1:37 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS

A thought on the Lakers doing the whole “let’s wait and horde our picks for a star” thing.

By my count, there are at least seven teams doing the same thing: the Knicks, Mavs, Thunder, Rockets, Grizzlies, Jazz and Pelicans.

All of those teams have more to offer. So does Miami. – 12:47 PM