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Klay Thompson Game-Winner, Miami Heat Overcame Los Angeles Clippers in OT
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- Klay Thompson Game-Winner, Miami Heat Overcame Los Angeles Clippers in OT
(Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat overcame adversity with a 117-116 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood (CA).
Klay Thompson was the biggest hero by draining a late-second lead-taking corner three-pointer. After struggling to start the season, the five-time All-Star has shown new life over the last three games. Thompson finished with a new season-high 30 points on 50 percent shooting, five rebounds, three assists, a block, and eight three-pointers made in 35 minutes.
After carving out an early nine-point lead, the Heat would get stunned for the entire second quarter. The Clippers outscored them 43-19, including a 39-10 run, which featured six three-pointers made in that span. It resulted in the Heat facing a deficit as large as 20.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just two points in the second quarter as the rest of the offense struggled. Once the Heat regrouped at halftime, a response showed in the form of a 15-4 run to cut the deficit to single digits. After trailing for most of the fourth quarter, overtime was forced as Antetokounmpo made two free throws and Clippers forward Rui Hachimura went one-for-two.
In the final seconds, the Heat were down by a possession. Coming out of a timeout, Antetokounmpo found Thompson wide open in the left corner, then called game. Adebayo set a strong screen on Kobe Sanders to create the space; meanwhile, Brook Lopez stayed in the paint rather than go for the switch on defense.
The Heat escaped what initially appeared to be another disappointing outing. Although the three-point shooting (10-of-40; 25 percent) wasn't very efficient, the points off turnovers (23 from 18) were what made up the difference. Plus, the Heat's 12 offensive rebounds led to 14 second-chance points.
Adebayo had a silent but dominant night with 35 points on 70 percent shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 41 minutes. It's the three-time All-Star's first double-double of the season. Antetokounmpo followed with 27 points on 40 percent shooting, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and three blocks in 41 minutes.
The stars shined bright around Hollywood.
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Ahead of a second-night of a back-to-back against the Golden State Warriors, the Heat climb closer to surpassing .500 for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see who plays or not. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on WPLG Local 10.
More Miami Heat News:
- " Miami Heat Enhance Dwyane Wade's Statue Two Years Since the Unveil "
- " Bam Adebayo: 'I Never Wanted to be Captain '"
- " Miami Heat's First Season Win Comes on Adebayo's Record-Breaking Night "
