Cade Cunningham had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for Detroit and Marcus Sasser scored 18.

Detroit trailed by 22 in the second half and was still down 114-103 with two minutes left, but scored six straight points to make it a five-point game. Powell missed and Javonte Green hit a 3-pointer to get the Pistons within two with 46.4 seconds to play.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit a short jumper to make it a two-possession game, though, and Ausar Thompson’s turnover forced the Pistons to start fouling. Powell hit a pair of free throws — his first points of the fourth quarter — to clinch it.

Jaquez scored 19 points for the Heat and Andrew Wiggins added 17.

The Pistons can usually overcome their outside shooting struggles by dominating the offensive glass, but that didn’t happen in the first half. Miami pulled down 22 of 24 defensive rebound chances and held Detroit to 20% (2 for 10) on 3-pointers.

Powell finished the half with 19 points, including 5 of 8 on 3-pointers, as Miami took a 63-54 lead.

The Heat opened the third quarter with a 15-2 run to take a 22-point lead. Detroit missed its first seven shots and turned the ball over twice. The Pistons reserves cut the deficit to 94-81 at the end of the quarter, led by six points and five rebounds from Paul Reed.

Sasser’s outside shooting got Detroit within 98-92 with 9:09 left, but the Pistons struggled to get enough stops for a big run.

Up next

Heat: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

Pistons: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

The teams were tied at 63 at halftime, with Jokic getting hurt with about three seconds left before the intermission. Miami then scored 47 third-quarter points to take full control.

Nikola Jovic scored 22 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 20 and Bam Adebayo returned from a two-game absence to grab 10 rebounds for the Heat, who had gone 1-15 in their last 16 games against Denver — the one win coming in five-game defeat to the Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals.

Denver had also won the last 11 regular-season matchups between the clubs and hadn’t lost a game in Miami since 2018.

But everything changed after halftime, with Jokic remaining in the locker room areas for evaluation.

Jokic still led the Nuggets in scoring with 21 points, along with eight assists and five rebounds. Jamal Murray scored 20 for Denver and Spencer Jones — who stepped on Jokic’s left foot on the play where the three-time MVP was injured — scored 16 for the Nuggets, as did Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jokic was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver’s Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to expire in the second quarter. While backtracking, Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot and it seemed the center’s knee buckled.

Jokic collapsed to the court, grabbing at the knee and writhing in pain.

The Heat topped the 140-point mark for the eighth time in the 2025 calendar year. Miami had seven such games from its inception in 1988 through 2024, combined.

Up next

Nuggets: At Toronto on Wednesday night.

Heat: At Detroit on Thursday night.

Norman Powell scored 23 for the Heat, who won for the second consecutive night. Miami outscored Indiana 44-22 in the final quarter, after leading 98-94 going into the last 12 minutes.

Miami had 83 points in the second half, and had a 60-23 edge in bench scoring.

Nikola Jovic scored 19 for Miami, with the Heat outscoring Indiana by 35 points in his 25 minutes. The Heat scored at least 140 points for the sixth time this season and seventh time in 2025, after reaching 140 points seven times — combined — from 1988 through 2024.

Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith returned after missing 19 games with a shoulder injury. He scored nine points in 19 minutes.

“He has worked extremely hard to get back to this point,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “And so now we’ve got to navigate this thing the right way.”

The Heat were again without Tyler Herro (toe) and Bam Adebayo (back). Both are progressing, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Herro has been limited to six games this season and has missed nine of Miami’s last 10 — while Adebayo has missed the last two, with nagging things that were turning into bigger issues.

“He really needed this time … he’s dealing with some (things) because of overcompensation,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo. “I think he’s feeling a lot better each day.”

Up next

Pacers: Visit the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Heat: Host the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Kel’el Ware had 16 points and 13 rebounds in place of Bam Adebayo, who missed the game with a back injury. Andrew Wiggins had 18 points and Jamie Jaquez Jr. had 16 points off the bench.

The Heat had lost eight of nine games entering Friday, but got back over .500 at 16-15. Tyler Herro missed his eighth straight game with a toe injury. Larsson started after missing five games with a sprained left ankle.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points and he also had seven assists. Jalen Johnson added 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Wiggins turned in one of the plays of the game in the fourth quarter. He saved the ball along the sideline after stealing an inbounds pass, got a return pass and hit a running reverse layup to stretch Miami’s lead to 102-87 with 9:05 to play. A 9-0 run capped by an over-the-head layup by Powell later in the quarter pushed the lead to 17.

The Heat outrebounded the Hawks 52-42 and forced 21 turnovers while committing 12. That resulted in 19 more field goal attempts for Miami.

The Hawks fell to 5-10 at home and are the only team in the NBA with a winning record on the road (10-7) and a losing record at home.

Dyson Daniels returned for Atlanta after missing one game with right hip inflammation. He had eight points and six rebounds.

Up next

Heat: Host Indiana on Saturday night.

Hawks: Host New York on Saturday night in their eighth back-to-back of the season, which is the most in the NBA.

Immanuel Quickley scored 18 for the Raptors — who got their 18th win in their 31st game of the season. They needed 57 games last season to get to the 18-win mark and are over .500 at Christmas for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 14 and Brandon Ingram finished with 12 for Toronto, which again played without RJ Barrett. He’s recovering from a sprained right knee.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 21 for the Heat, who are back to the .500 mark at 15-15 and have dropped nine of their last 11 games. They’ve been held under 100 points twice this season, both by Toronto and both in losses — with Tuesday’s 91-point figure the lowest. The Raptors beat the Heat 106-96 on Dec. 15.

Toronto won for only the fourth time in its last 12 games, with both wins over the Heat part of that span.

Norman Powell scored 17, Andrew Wiggins added 14 and Bam Adebayo grabbed 12 rebounds for the Heat. Miami played again without Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson, all who remain injured.

The Heat shot 40.2%, their worst at home this season.

A 10-0 run in the fourth quarter pretty much put things away for Toronto, with that spurt giving the Raptors a 99-76 edge midway through the final period.

The Heat and Raptors don’t play again until a pair of matchups in Toronto on April 7 and April 9.

Up next

Raptors: Visit Washington on Friday, Toronto’s final road game before the calendar flips to 2026.

Heat: Visit Atlanta on Friday, the first of four meetings between the Southeast Division rivals this season.

In a motion to dismiss made public on Tuesday, Rozier’s lawyers argued that the government’s theory of the case — that he prevented sportsbooks from making informed decisions about accepting certain bets — runs afoul of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal wire fraud statute.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn allege that Rozier, 31, helped gamblers cash in by tipping off a friend that he would leave a March 2023 game early because of a supposed injury. The friend, Deniro “Niro” Laster, who is also charged, shared or sold the information to others, who placed more than $250,000 in prop bets, prosecutors said.

“The government has billed this case as involving ‘insider betting’ and ‘rigging’ professional basketball games,” Rozier’s lawyers, James M. Trusty and A. Jeff Ifrah, wrote in the motion. “But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some bettors broke certain sportsbooks’ terms of use against wagering based on non-public information and ‘straw betting.’”

Rozier was on the Charlotte Hornets at the time and the information about his early exit was not listed on the team’s injury report, nor was it shared with the public or the sportsbooks that accept wagers on NBA games and player performances, prosecutors said.

Rozier pleaded not guilty on Dec. 8 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges. He was released on $3 million bond and is due back in court for a hearing before U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall on March 3.

His charges were part of a sweep of more than 30 other people in a takedown of two sprawling gambling operations: one that authorities said leaked inside information about NBA athletes and another involving rigged, Mafia-backed poker games.

The charges have raised questions about the integrity of NBA games in an era of legalized betting and myriad prop bets, prompting the league to tweak its injury reporting requirements.

A spokesperson for the federal prosecutors’ office in Brooklyn declined to comment on Rozier’s motion.

In the motion, Rozier’s lawyers wrote that under the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in United States v. Ciminelli, prosecutors can’t make a wire fraud case out of allegations that defendants conspired to deprive a person — or, in this case, sportsbooks — of the right to information needed to make discretionary economic decisions.

They also questioned whether federal prosecutors have the authority to bring such a case, since sportsbooks are regulated at the state level, not the federal level.

“This is not to say that sports betting platforms are without recourse when their terms of use are violated — they can void bets, pursue civil remedies, or seek state prosecutor involvement,” Trusty and Ifrah wrote in the motion, which was dated Dec. 12 but only posted to the case docket on Tuesday. “But Ciminelli puts to rest the notion that federal prosecutors are here to enforce contractual agreements between bettors and platforms.”

Rozier has earned about $160 million over a 10-year NBA career. He was a first-round pick for the Boston Celtics in 2015 after starring at the University of Louisville. Charlotte traded him to the Heat last year.

In the game in question, Rozier played the first nine minutes and 36 seconds against the New Orleans Pelicans before leaving, citing a foot issue. He did not play again that season.

Rozier’s lawyers noted that the indictment does not allege that he ever placed a bet on any NBA game, nor does it allege that he knew Laster intended to sell his tip to others or that using it to place wagers would violate the sportsbooks’ terms of service. And, they said, he really was injured.

“The government’s cynicism as to whether Mr. Rozier was injured is belied by a variety of witnesses and medical professionals who were aware of Rozier’s injury, in many cases before the Pelicans game,” Trusty and Ifrah wrote.

While Towns had just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, Mikal Bridges scored 24 points on 6-of7 3-point shooting, Josh Hart added 13 points and 10 rebounds and OG Anunoby scored all 18 of his points all in the second half. The Knicks improved to 20-8 overall and 14-2 at home.

Kel’el Ware had 28 points and 19 rebounds for Miami. The Heat have lost seven of eight to fall to 15-14.

With Towns held scoreless over the first 25:02, and posting his fewest points since joining the Knicks, Brunson, Bridges and Anunoby picked up the slack, especially in the second half.

Ware made his fifth 3-pointer, then Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit a pair of free throws that cut New York’s lead to 120-118 with 3:12 left. But the Knicks answered with an 8-0 run, keyed by Bridges’ 3-pointer and three free throws from Brunson after a flagrant foul.

Brunson and Bridges combined for 45 of New York’s 66 first-half points, with Bridges scoring 18 points. The duo made 9 of 13 first-half 3-pointers, including Brunson’s 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left in the second quarter that put New York up by four at halftime.

Up next

Heat: Host Toronto on Tuesday night

Knicks: At Minnesota on Tuesday night.

The Udonis Haslem Foundation’s 17th annual B-Wootie Holiday Program, which is named in honor of Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem’s late stepmother, Barbara Wooten, gave kids a chance to go on an unforgettable shopping spree at a Walmart Supercenter on Northwest 177th Street.

The foundation gave 100 outstanding students from Miami-Dade and Broward County schools $200 gift cards for excelling in school despite the challenges they faced.

“Just to see the smiles on their faces, the kids just enjoying themselves, it brings warmth to my heart, especially around the holidays,” said volunteer Angelo Marcelus.

“So many of these kids are buying things for their homes instead of for themselves, so the ability to be able to help them be able to honestly enjoy this time for the holidays for themselves is the main focus of our team,” said Sylvester King, Jr., the chairman of the Udonis Haslem Foundation.

The fun didn’t stop with the shopping spree.

The group then went to Tropical Park to enjoy the rides at Christmas Wonderland.

Jaylen Brown added 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to help the Celtics snap a two-game losing skid. Anfernee Simons finished with 14 points.

The Celtics took control in the fourth quarter, using a 20-7 run to open a 112-96 lead. It grew to 19 points. Boston connected on 21 3-pointers on the night.

Kel’el Ware had 24 points and 14 rebounds for Miami, which has lost six of its last seven. Norman Powell added 18 points. Bam Adebayo finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Heat had 102 field goal attempts and connected on 19 3s but shot just 39% from the field overall.

Miami dropped to 5-9 on the road this season.

Rookie Kasparas Jakucionis added 17 and had five 3-pointers in his first career start.

Miami had only 10 players available with Tyler Herro out for the fifth time in six games with a toe injury, and Andrew Wiggins (lower back pain), Nikola Jovic (elbow), Davion Mitchell (sprained left ankle) and Pelle Larsson (sprained left ankle) all sidelined as well.

The game was tied 58-58 at halftime, with White leading all scorers with 19 points.

The Heat stayed in the game thanks to 11 offensive rebounds in the half, which led to 17 second-chance points. But they had only seven second-chance points in the second half.

Up next

Heat: At Knicks on Sunday.

Celtics: At Raptors on Saturday.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points and Bam Adebayo had 17 rebounds despite battling foul trouble as the Heat won for just the second time in December. They came into the month with 13 wins, tied for their most ever before December, but had gone 1-5 since.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 28 points for the Nets, who went cold after equaling the most lopsided victory in franchise history in their last game. Nic Claxton added 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Brooklyn beat Milwaukee 127-82 on Sunday but shot under 39% from the field in this one and was just 11 for 49 (22%) from 3-point range.

Still, Miami’s lead was just 86-82 with under five minutes remaining. Ware made a 3-pointer and Jaquez followed with consecutive baskets to extend the Heat lead to 93-82 with 4:01 left.

The Nets missed 10 of their 13 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.

Up next

Heat: Visit Boston on Friday.

Nets: Host Toronto on Sunday.

Police departments, fire stations and professional sports teams all got into the spirit of the season, Wednesday.

The Miami Heat organization held a toy giveaway and pizza party for students at Riverside Elementary School. The event included an appearance from team mascot Burnie to bring some early Christmas cheer.

“I got a makeup pallet so I could do makeup a little bit,” said Barbara, a student.

The lively event featured a party with pizza for students.

“I feel like it’s a great experience for everyone here and for kids that just don’t celebrate Christmas. They get to know what it feels like to be a part of this,” said Barbara.

Meantime, Heat legend and hall of famer Alonzo Mourning greeted students at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center.

“These kids, you know, come from impoverished environments so having a day like this, a very rewarding day for them,” said Mourning.

Mourning was joined by Burnie to help deliver unforgettable holiday memories.

The giveaway was started by the late Larry Share, a founding Heat season ticket holder who passed away in 2022.

The organization and Share’s daughters, Amy Share Brennan and Marni Share Bloomster, have continued his annual tradition for the 18th year.

“Part of this tradition with buying toys for kids and he’s partnered up with the Miami Heat, so God rest his soul,” said Mourning.

“Father wanted to be sure that everybody could celebrate and to bring some cheer to everybody and their families,” said Share Brennan.

“And it means so much to come here, see the joy on the kids’ faces,” said Share Bloomster.

Across South Florida, many other local organizations held multiple events of their own to spread holiday cheer.

Firefighters for the City of Miami helped Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive at Watch Me Grow Learning Center in style to deliver presents to students.

“We’ve been blessed with a wonderful visit from Santa and his wife. The kids are super excited,” said Kari Valdez

At a Target in Midtown, the Miami Police Department teamed up with the Miami Police Athletic League to host their annual “Shop with a Cop” event. Students who were selected got to pick out their favorite gifts with a cop by their side.

“The greatest events we do all year, ‘Shop with a Cop,’ these are kids from all over the City of Miami, where our officers are able to spend some time with them and have them be in charge and have a great holiday season,” said Miami Police Assistant Chief Richard Perez. “Great opportunity for our officers to give back and spend some good quality time with our most important kids in Miami.”

Firefighters with Miami Fire Rescue went along with Santa and his helpers on Wednesday morning to deliver toys to schools across the Magic City.

In Broward County, deputies with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office took students on a shopping spree at Walmart.

The young participants were each given a $200 gift card and filled up carts with their favorite gifts.

“When I grow up, I either wanna be an entrepreneur or I wanna be a police officer,” one student said.

“She’s completely in the spirit of Christmas and she’s just made my day,” the officer accompanying her said.

Silver’s comments in a news conference shortly before the start of the NBA Cup final were his first since Rozier, Billups and others were arrested in October. He spoke in Las Vegas, a gambling mecca that the league has used for major events like the Cup final and Summer League for some time.

“I think the fans care a lot,” Silver said. “It’s hard to make judgments, either anecdotally over what some fans are saying or what’s even on social media. Fans definitely care. And I mean it when I say, if this game isn’t viewed as being honest and the competition being on the level and at the highest integrity, over time we will lose our fan base. I have no doubt about that. And so, I take it incredibly seriously.”

The NBA is not sure how long the investigations and legal processes surrounding gambling charges faced by Rozier, Billups — a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee — and others will take to be completed, Silver said.

But the league will look into the possibility of giving Miami some sort of “satisfactory relief” because Rozier currently can’t play, Silver added, though he stopped short of saying such a move would be possible.

“This is an unprecedented situation,” Silver said.

It’s a multi-layered issue for the league and the Heat, given that Rozier’s $26.6 million salary takes up about 17% of the team’s cap space — and that the team still owes Charlotte a first-round pick in either 2027 or 2028 to satisfy the terms of the trade that brought Rozier to Miami. It’s unclear who was aware that Rozier was under federal investigation when the Heat made the trade with the Hornets.

Rozier pleaded not guilty earlier this month to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from accusations that he helped some friends win bets that revolved around his statistical performance in a game played in March 2023, when he was with Charlotte. Rozier is free on $3 million bond and isn’t expected back in court until March, and he remains on unpaid leave from the Heat.

Prosecutors say Rozier informed the bettors that he intended to leave the game against the New Orleans Pelicans early with a supposed injury, allowing gamblers to place wagers earning them tens of thousands of dollars. Rozier played the first nine minutes and 36 seconds of the game before leaving, citing a foot issue. He did not play again that season and was subsequently traded to the Heat.

Rozier isn’t receiving his pay, but his salary is still on the Heat’s books and is being sent to an interest-bearing account pending resolution of his case or some other agreement.

“We’re going to try to work something through, work this out with them,” Silver said. “But there’s no obvious solution here. I would just say that there’s no doubt at the moment they have a player that can’t perform services for them. … Obviously, he hasn’t been convicted of anything yet either — but this is an unfortunate circumstance. Sometimes there’s these unique events and maybe sometimes they require a unique solution.”

Billups also pleaded not guilty last month to charges related to a separate scheme to fix high-stakes, Mafia-backed poker games. Rozier, Billups and former NBA guard Damon Jones were among more than 30 people — including several Mafia figures — arrested in October as part of a sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to pro sports.

The league requires annual training for players, coaches and staff about what’s allowed and what isn’t allowed regarding gambling, which is now legal in most states. Silver famously championed legalization of sports betting in an op-ed he wrote for The New York Times in 2014.

The situations with Rozier and Billups have led to a quest for even heightened awareness, Silver said. The league is also looking at how best to ensure prop bets based solely on a player’s statistical performance — like the ones made on Rozier’s March 2023 game — can be executed fairly.

“We’ve been redoubling our efforts at the league office, working with our teams, looking at every aspect of our rules around sports betting,” Silver said. “Are there better ways to educate the participants? Are there changes we should make in how injuries are reported? … We’re in the process as I said right now and working with our teams thinking about anything else we can be doing, if there’s any aspect of our system that needs to be shored up.”

Students and mentors from the team’s School-to-Work program visited the Lotus House Women’s Shelter and the newly built Children’s Village to prepare and serve meals and provide support for residents ahead of the holidays.

The group spent the day assembling holiday gifts, preparing meals, and supporting the teaching team at Urgent Academy, one of the two schools housed within the newly constructed Children’s Village.

Heat staff say this community involvement will help the students in the long run.

“Being able to expose these kids to the right guidance with our staff, as well as the activities that can help them go back home and have a sense of perspective, appreciation, and empowerment to tackle their own obstacles both in the classroom as well as out,” said Erick Torres, Manager of Social Responsibility at Miami Heat.

Under the program, high school students learn career-guiding skills through workshops.

Miami lost forward Nikola Jovic to an elbow injury in the first quarter. Jovic took a hard foul from Collin Murray-Boyles while driving to the basket and fell to the floor 12 seconds after he entered the game.

Scottie Barnes added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Immanuel Quickley finished with 15 points for the Raptors, who made 16 3-pointers. Ingram shot 5 of 7 from behind the arc.

Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 11 points and Gradey Dick added 10 for Toronto.

Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo scored 20 points each and Davion Mitchell added 12 points for the Heat, who played without Tyler Herro. He sat out because of a right toe contusion.

It was the first time this season the Heat were held under 100 points.

Down by five early in the fourth quarter, Toronto took the lead for good with a 17-2 run. Jamal Shead’s 3-pointer with 7:31 remaining put the Raptors ahead 91-81.

The Heat narrowed the deficit to four points when Powell made three free throws with 1:28 left. But Shead hit a floating jumper and Barnes followed with a putback layup.

The Raptors are 4-6 since RJ Barrett, the team’s third-leading scorer, sprained his right knee against Brooklyn on Nov. 23. Barrett, who averages 19.4 points per game, began on-court workouts Monday, coach Darko Rajakovic said.

Up next

Raptors: At Milwaukee on Thursday.

Heat: At Brooklyn on Thursday.

The basketball team on Sunday with Carnival and the nonprofit Direct Relief to pack up 24 pallets of critical medical supplies at PortMiami to be shipped to Jamaica.

The $1 million donation includes hygiene kits, medical items and other essential goods. It was all loaded onto the Carnival Horizon” to be taken to Ocho Rios, where it will arrive later next week

“We all come together, you know, to try to figure out ways that we can help, our fans in the Caribbean,” said former Heat player Alonzo Mourning.

“There’s still continuing need, so we do encourage our fans, we do encourage South Florida to continue to support by visiting DirectRelief.org/supportJamaica and please make your donations there,” said Miami Heat representative Ralph Leon.

Their effort is part of a huge humanitarian response to deliver a total of 68 tons of aid to the island in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s path of destruction.

Jaquez Jr. partnered up with Raising Cane’s to donate 100 children’s bicycles and helmets at Gwen Cherry Park in Northwest Miami-Dade, Wednesday.

During the event, Jaquez Jr. helped pass out the new equipment and took photos with kids for an unforgettable holiday moment.

Jalen Suggs scored 20 points and Paolo Banchero added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Magic, who will play New York or Toronto on Saturday in the semifinal round at Las Vegas.

Norman Powell led Miami with 21 points. Tyler Herro added 20 and Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins each had 19 for the Heat, who have lost three times in Orlando this season.

Bane hit two 3-pointers and scored on a three-point play in the first 2:06 of the fourth quarter, stretching the Magic’s six-point lead to 13. The Heat never got the margin under nine until the final minute.

The Magic played for the first time this season without Franz Wagner, who is expected to be out several weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The Heat made their first six shots and led 15-0 when Herro drove for a layup less than three minutes into the game. But Miami went cold and finished the game 8 for 33 (24.2%) from 3-point range. Herro missed all six of his 3-point attempts, including an open shot that could have cut the margin to four with 37 seconds left.

Bane made 6 of 9 3-pointers and the Magic shot 15 for 32 (46.9%).

Up next

Heat: Play the New York-Toronto loser in a regular-season game.

Magic: Play the New York-Toronto winner on Saturday at Las Vegas.

Heat legends Alonzo Mourning and Glen Rice were on hand Monday evening to help spread holiday cheer at the downtown Miami venue.

“Everyone who came out had the most beautiful smile on their faces, and you could see the appreciation,” said Rice. “We appreciate them, ’cause any time we can get an opportunity to make them happy or in contact with them, that’s just a blessing.”

The event provided laptops, backpacks and school supplies to 300 students and families from local schools and community programs.

“It is incredibly important to address issues of this magnitude. The digital divide is not something that will be solved overnight or in the span of a year. It truly takes a village, so we are super fortunate to have partners like AT&T, like Kaseya, like Human I.T., that are invested in this cause, in helping to advance communities and in helping to advance families in our community,” said Ralph Leon, the Miami Heat’s Senior Director of Social Responsibility.

Guests were treated to some holiday fun with photos, music, games, food and special performances by the Heat dancers.

Mourning and Rice helped in the team’s ongoing efforts to give back to the community.

Keegan Murray scored 16, Nique Clifford had 15 and DeMar DeRozan finished with 13 for the Kings, who came into the game having lost four straight and 12 of their last 14. Sacramento’s five wins entering the night were by a combined 18 points, none of them by more than a five-point margin.

LaVine’s previous bests this season were six 3s and 34 points. Sacramento led by as many as 28 — another season-best — and got its biggest win ever in Miami. The Kings were 6-31 all-time in Miami, never winning by more than 15 points.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 27 for the Heat, who have dropped three straight for the first time this season. Simone Fontecchio scored 20 for the Heat, who got 18 from Norman Powell and 13 from Andrew Wiggins.

The Heat played without Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Davion Mitchell (right groin tightness) and Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness). Herro — who missed time to start the season while recovering from offseason surgery — had an MRI on Saturday to see the scope of the toe issue, and he’s listed as day to day.

Fontecchio made a 3-pointer early in the second quarter for a 35-34 Miami lead, but that would be the last Heat edge of the night. LaVine had 29 by halftime and the Kings finished the second quarter on a 23-7 run to take a 72-55 lead into the break.

Miami got within 15 in the fourth but never made a serious run.

Up next

Kings: Visit Indiana on Monday.

Heat: Visit Orlando on Tuesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.

The 31-year-old point guard formally entered the plea during his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court on federal wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say Rozier conspired with friends to help them win bets on his performance in a March 2023 game when he played for the Charlotte Hornets.

Rozier was released on $3 million bond secured by his home in Florida. He was also instructed by Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky not to gamble, have firearms or to have any contact with victims, co-defendants and witnesses in the case.

Rozier additionally surrendered his passport and was restricted to traveling between Florida, Ohio and New York unless granted prior approval.

Rozier, who was wearing a gray suit, didn’t speak in court other than to answer the judge’s “yes” or “no” questions.

He was expected to join his five other co-defendants, their lawyers and prosecutors for a pretrial hearing later Monday.

Rozier previously appeared before a federal judge in Orlando on Oct. 23, when prosecutors first announced the indictment.

One of his lawyers, Jim Trusty, denied the charges at the time, saying the Ohio native was “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.”

More than 30 people have been arrested in the sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports, including several Mafia figures. Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty in a separate scheme to fix high-stakes, Mafia-backed illegal poker games.

Prosecutors say Rozier informed the bettors that he intended to leave the game against the New Orleans Pelicans early with a supposed injury, allowing gamblers to place wagers earning them tens of thousands of dollars.

Rozier played the first nine minutes and 36 seconds of the game before leaving, citing a foot issue. He did not play again that season.

The other NBA figure ensnared in the investigation is Damon Jones, who pleaded not guilty last month to charges he provided sports bettors with nonpublic information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis while serving as an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season. Jones, a former NBA player, is also indicted along with Billups and others in the separate poker scheme.

Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave from their teams as their court cases play out.

Rozier has earned about $160 million over a 10-year NBA career. He was a first-round pick for the Boston Celtics in 2015 after starring at the University of Louisville. Charlotte traded him to the Heat last year.

The teams will meet again in Orlando on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup quarterfinal. The Magic have won seven of nine. The Heat have lost three of four following a six-game winning streak.

Paolo Banchero was back for Orlando after missing 10 games because of strained left groin. He had nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes.

Norman Powel had 28 points for Miami, making two layups for the game’s final points, keeping the Heat in the game after Suggs’ layup had given the Magic a 106-101 lead. Adebayo had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Heat.

The Heat played without Tyler Herro after he injured his right big toe in Wednesday night at Dallas.

Desmond Bane finished with five points on 2-for-16 shooting for Orlando.

Up next

Heat: Host Sacramento on Saturday night.

Magic: At New York on Sunday.

Undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard had 15 points and a season-high 13 assists after scoring a career-high 28 points in the previous game, a 131-121 victory over Denver. Klay Thompson scored 17 points in his relatively new role off the bench.

Kel’el Ware had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Miami, while Tyler Herro scored 20 points but was shut out after halftime in his fifth game of the season coming off surgery to repair an issue affecting his left ankle and foot.

The Heat played without leading scorer Norman Powell, who has a sprained left ankle. Dallas center Daniel Gafford exited in the second half with a left ankle injury and didn’t return.

Flagg, the rookie No. 1 overall pick, and Davis combined to score the last eight Dallas points after the Heat had cut a 17-point second-half deficit to four with three minutes remaining on a bucket by Bam Adebayo, who scored 21 points.

Davis was playing consecutive games for the first time since missing a month with a left calf strain.

Nembhard, who has made four consecutive starts that are the first of his career, made all three of his 3-point attempts during a three-minute stretch in the second quarter when Dallas took the lead for good. The Mavericks were 16 of 32 from long range.

Herro was 8 of 12 from the field in the first half but missed the only five shots he got after the break, four from beyond the arc.

Up next

Heat: At Orlando on Friday night.

Mavericks: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.

Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins each scored 22 for the Heat, who trailed by two early in the second quarter before going on a 30-2 run. Miami also hit 24 3-pointers, tying a franchise record done on two previous occasions.

Miami went on a 12-0 run in the first 2:02 of the third quarter, all on 3-pointers, two of them by Adebayo. That turned a 20-point halftime lead into a 32-point edge and the outcome was not in serious doubt again.

Kawhi Leonard scored 36 and Ivica Zubac finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers. They started the season 3-2 and have gone 2-14 since, falling to 5-16 — the worst 21-game start for the franchise since a 4-17 beginning to the 2010-11 season.

James Harden scored 11 points for the Clippers in 20 minutes, and didn’t play in the final 22:34. The Clippers were outscored by 39 points when he was on the floor.

Powell had 11 points in the 30-2 spurt, one where Miami shot 9 for 12 while the Clippers missed all 11 of their shots. Back-to-back 3s by Powell finished off the run.

The Clippers made things a bit interesting in the fourth, with Leonard scoring 19 points in that quarter and getting his team within 12 with 2 minutes left. But Miami scored the next nine points — a three-point play by Herro, then 3-pointers from Powell and Wiggins to put the game away.

It was Miami’s fifth time reaching the 140-point mark this season, after getting there a total of eight times in the franchise’s first 37 seasons.

Up next

Clippers: Visit Atlanta on Wednesday.

Heat: Visit Dallas on Wednesday.

The water-pourers wanted to celebrate his 800th career win.

And Spoelstra had no idea what was happening.

“I was very confused,” Spoelstra said Wednesday night. “I was calculating that maybe we’ve qualified for the Cup. Then I’m looking around and nobody else is getting water dumped on them, and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute — what’s going on here?’”

That was when Spoelstra learned of the milestone. He’s the 17th coach in NBA history to win that many games and only the third to do it with one team, joining San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Utah’s Jerry Sloan.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet because I wasn’t aware of it. It’s fitting that it comes on the eve of Thanksgiving,” Spoelstra said. “I just feel incredible gratitude for this organization and all of these years. I’m having a hell of a time. I love what I do, I love coaching, I love this profession, I love working for this organization, I love working for — and with — amazing players and staff.”

The milestone comes a few weeks after Spoelstra lost his home to a massive fire. His children were not there at the time — they were with their mother that night — and Spoelstra was returning home from a road trip when the fire started. He hasn’t missed a day of work and the Heat haven’t missed a beat; they’re 13-6 this season, third-best in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s huge. I’m trying to think of how old I was when Spo probably got his first one and then to be where he is now — he’s got 800 of them — is insane,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said. “It’s great to be a part of a great organization who’s historically been one of the top.”

The win was the 800th for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware each scored 11 for Miami, which improved to 3-1 in Cup games and 9-1 at home this season. Miami would win Group C if Milwaukee beats New York on Friday; if the Knicks win that game the Heat would need some help to reach the quarterfinals.

Ryan Rollins scored 26 for Milwaukee, which got 24 from Myles Turner and 15 from Gary Trent Jr. The Bucks have dropped six straight, the last four of those without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Spoelstra is the 17th coach in NBA history with 800 wins and only the third to reach that total with one franchise in regular-season play, joining Gregg Popovich (1,390 with San Antonio) and Jerry Sloan (1,127 with Utah).

Milwaukee lost an NBA Cup group stage game for the first time; the Bucks — the event’s defending champion — were 10-0 in that round of games since the tournament, now in its third season, was added to the schedule. Bucks coach Doc Rivers was 8-0 in Cup games as a coach entering Wednesday.

Antetokounmpo missed a fourth consecutive game with a strained left adductor. But he went through some of shootaround Wednesday and did a pregame workout, indicators that he could be nearing a return.

“Even when he’s playing there’s a stretch where he’s not on the floor that we still have to master and we have not this year yet,” Rivers said. “So, I still think in the long run this stretch will be good for us.”

Up next

Bucks: Visit New York on Friday in an NBA Cup game.

Heat: Host Detroit on Saturday.

The stars were joined by volunteers from their respective foundations, The Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation and T. Herro Foundation, to distribute meals for families at Charles Hadley Park in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood.

“I’m elated because I’ve been looking for some stuff I haven’t been able to find and you guys had it here and I’m gonna have a wonderful Thanksgiving,” said Lorna Smith, who was picking up food. “I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.”

All the usual holiday fixings were being handed out, with Adebayo and Herro lending a hand and speaking with the community.

The opportunity to connect with fans is something both All-Stars say they cherish being able to do.

“I was one of those kids where nobody really cared about us or my mom so being able to grow up and impact somebody else’s life in the smallest way possible,” said Adebayo.

“It’s very important, you know, ever since I came to Miami, that’s been something that I’ve always wanted to do, just be in the community as much as possible, give back and obviously, for holidays and events like this, it’s super important for me,” said Herro.

Also happening Tuesday, Heat legend and hall of famer Alonzo Mourning was on hand to give out food to families in Overtown.

Mourning has been a constant for the Thanksgiving season, providing meals for South Floridians for 26 consecutive years.

“So many people that are living here in South Florida that are below the poverty level that don’t have the ability to put food on the tables during the holidays, you know,” said Mourning. “We’re grateful that we have that opportunity.”

Former Heat player Caron Butler and former Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry were among the other local community leaders who also took part in handing out meals to families.

What seems like a small act of kindness for these players and legends helps the community build lifelong memories and create stronger ties together.

Bam Adebayo had 17 points for Miami, which was held nearly 20 points below its season average but improved to 8-1 at home.

P.J. Washington scored 27 points for Dallas, which got 15 from Max Christie, 13 from Klay Thompson and 12 apiece from Cooper Flagg and Brandon Williams.

Dallas trailed by 13 before making things interesting down the stretch.

Flagg made a pair of free throws with 1:04 left, tying the game at 102-102. The Mavs got a stop on their next possession, but Adebayo stole the inbound pass and Herro scored with 41.2 seconds left to put Miami back on top.

Miami — playing its third game in four nights — was without leading scorer Norman Powell (groin), Andrew Wiggins (hip) and Nikola Jovic (hip).

Mavericks center Anthony Davis missed his 14th consecutive game with a strained left calf, though he had been upgraded to doubtful earlier Monday, indicating there was a tiny chance of him playing. Dallas doesn’t play again until Friday — against Davis’ former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I think he continues to get better. He’s working to get back,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We anticipate him at practice this week. I think any time with a calf strain you have to be cautious. But he’s worked extremely hard and the next step is practice Wednesday, so we’ll see what happens.”

Up next

Mavericks: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup game Friday.

Heat: Host Milwaukee in an NBA Cup game Wednesday.

The Heat listed Herro as questionable for Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, which indicates that he’s on the cusp of returning. Miami officials are expected to update Herro’s status again closer to game time.

But Herro’s return does not mean Miami is at full strength. Norman Powell — the team’s leading scorer this season at 25.4 points per game — had an MRI on Monday that confirmed he has a strained left groin and he won’t play against the Mavericks. Andrew Wiggins (strained left hip flexor) and Nikola Jovic (right hip impingement) also remain out for the game against Dallas, the Heat said.

Herro underwent surgery in September to repair an issue affecting his left ankle and foot. He was the team’s leading returning scorer coming into the season, then needed the procedure to alleviate posterior impingement syndrome in the ankle.

Miami enters Monday as the NBA’s top-scoring team, averaging 124.9 points per game.

Last season was the best of Herro’s career, with him averaging 23.9 points — 3.1 points higher than his previous best — while also playing in a career-best 77 games and making the All-Star team for the first time. He also won the league’s 3-point contest at All-Star weekend.

Jaime Jacquez Jr. scored 22 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 18 for the Heat.

Tyrese Maxey had 27 points to pace Philadelphia, which played without former MVP Joel Embiid for the seventh straight game. Embiid (right knee injury management) has missed 10 of 16 contests this season. Maxey, who. entered second in the NBA in scoring at 33.4 points per contest, was coming off a career-high 54 points in Thursday’s 123-114 overtime win at Milwaukee.

Andre Drummond added 14 points and 23 rebounds for the 76ers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness) also was sidelined for Philadelphia.

This was the first of three contests between the clubs.

Miami controlled the contest throughout, but the 76ers got within 105-103 with 8:28 left after Trendon Watford’s layup. The Heat then scored 13 of the next 15 points, capped by Powell’s running layup with 4:40 remaining, to go ahead by 13.

The 76ers honored the 25-year anniversary of the 2001 Eastern Conference champions by wearing replica black jerseys from that era. Allen Iverson, who was named MVP that season, was in attendance. Theo Ratliff rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell prior to the contest. Ratliff helped the 76ers to a 41-14 record before a midseason trade sent him to Atlanta for Dikembe Mutombo.

Up Next

Heat: Host Dallas on Monday night.

76ers: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.

Bam Adebayo scored 18 points, while Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each scored 16 for Miami, which topped the 140-point mark for the fourth time this season — matching its total of such games from the last seven seasons combined.

Miami — which ended the game averaging an NBA-best 124.8 points per game this season — led by 41 in the closing minutes. That was the second-biggest Heat lead of the season and the biggest Bulls deficit (the previous was 25 against New York on Nov. 2).

Ayo Dosunmu scored 23 points for Chicago, which got 19 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists from Josh Giddey. Jalen Smith scored 14 for the Bulls.

The Heat moved to 2-1 in NBA Cup games, a half-game behind Milwaukee (2-0) for the East Group C lead. Chicago (1-2 in Cup games) fell to fourth in the group, a half-game behind New York and a half-game ahead of Charlotte.

Chicago opened the game on an 18-11 run over the first 5 1/2 minutes, but Miami controlled matters the rest of the way. A 53-21 Heat burst gave Miami a 25-point lead late in the first half, and the margin was never less than 14 again.

The Bulls lost Kevin Huerter in the third quarter after he waved at the ball in frustration following a foul call. The ball bounced into the back of referee Che Flores’ leg, and Huerter was ejected.

Chicago also saw Matas Buzelis (right ankle) and Dalen Terry (left calf) leave with injuries.

Up next

Heat: At Philadelphia on Sunday.

Bulls: Host Washington on Saturday night.

Former Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins scored 17 and Kel’el Ware grabbed 16 rebounds for Miami, which outscored Golden State 38-22 in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors, at the end of a six-game, nine-day trip, 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 making about $162 million this season. Al Horford, who isn’t playing back-to-backs and appeared in Golden State’s loss at Orlando on Tuesday, also sat out.

Brandin Podziemski scored 20 for Golden State, which got 19 from Quinten Post and 18 from Buddy Hield. The Warriors gave up 23 turnovers that Miami turned into 34 points — 20 more than Golden State scored off Miami’s 14 giveaways.

The teams combined to shoot 38.4%, the second-worst shooting game in the NBA so far this season. Toronto and Atlanta combined to shoot 37.4% in the Raptors’ 109-97 win on Nov. 7.

Adebayo missed Miami’s six previous games with a toe injury. The Heat are still without guard Tyler Herro, though he could make his season debut in the coming days after offseason ankle surgery.

The Warriors got into a 20-4 hole, their largest first-quarter deficit of the season. But Miami scored only 19 points in the next 12 minutes and Golden State chipped away, taking its first lead at 60-59 on a basket by Post midway through the third.

Then it was Golden State’s turn to cool. The Warriors led 74-69 late in the third, before Miami went on a 21-4 run to pull away.

Up next

Warriors: Host Portland on Friday.

Heat: Visit Chicago on Friday.

In Kerr’s mind, Spoelstra was ready for the looming challenge long ago.

Kerr — the former U.S. Olympic men’s basketball coach — was facing off with Spoelstra — the current U.S. Olympic men’s basketball coach — on Wednesday night for the first time since the Heat sideline boss was officially hired by USA Basketball to take over the national team. Kerr said he has zero doubt that Spoelstra is ready for the challenge and all that comes with it.

“He was a great choice,” Kerr said before the Golden State-Miami game. “He’s one of the great coaches of all time. Great awareness of what FIBA is about, the difference between coaching a team for seven weeks and coaching one for nine months, all of that stuff. He’s just got his finger on the pulse of it all. He’s going to be great.”

Spoelstra will lead the U.S. men at the 2027 World Cup in Doha, Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Kerr led the Americans at the 2023 World Cup, when they finished fourth in Manila, then again on the way to Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024. Spoelstra was on Kerr’s staff for both events.

Later this weekend in South Florida, the U.S. officially starts its quest to reach the 2027 World Cup. A 12-player team assembled for the first two games on the 12-game qualifying schedule will gather for practices at the University of Miami before flying to Nicaragua to open play on Nov. 28. The qualifying games run through March 2027.

Spoelstra hasn’t reached out to Kerr yet to talk specifics about how he pivoted from NBA thinking to international basketball thinking. He will, at some point.

“I’ve said it before, but I’m just so incredibly grateful for having that opportunity to be on his staff for the last two summers,” Spoelstra said. “The entire staff, we had such an amazing time. It was a life experience. It was Basketball 101. We all grew from it, just from a basketball coaching development experience. It’s the same four lines and two baskets and a basketball, but it’s a different sport, FIBA. And we were humbled in that first year and the second year, I think, the experiences that we had the summer before helped us for that Olympic experience.”

The U.S. men have won the last five Olympic gold medals. Spoelstra will be tasked with extending that streak, and saw in Paris how difficult the job can be — with the Americans needing to rally from a double-digit deficit late to beat Serbia in the semifinals, then hold off France for the gold medal behind a dazzling show from Stephen Curry.

And when “The Star-Spangled Banner” played for the Americans that night in Paris to commemorate their Olympic gold, Kerr turned to Spoelstra and said, “good luck.” The announcement that Spoelstra was taking over the team was more than a year away, but Kerr already seemed to know who the next coach needed to be.

“I was so impressed with Steve just in terms of the way he was able to manage everything,” Spoelstra said. “We all know that there is great pressure. I think he, as part of his genius, he managed that beautifully. Just getting the team, one, to handle all the expectations, and then getting the team to hit the stride at just the right time and be able to handle adversity like we did against Serbia. I think it was just great leadership on his part. That experience will be something I’ll never forget.”

The team gathered at the Miami Rescue Mission to host a block party-style event aimed at giving back to South Florida families ahead of Thanksgiving.

Heat President Pat Riley shared his appreciation to the franchise’s active role in providing support and maintaining an important connection to the community.

“Thirty-four years is unprecedented and the relationship between Overtown and the Heat, you know, it goes back a long ways, and we’re just proud to do it,” said Riley.

Riley was joined by several players to help distribute 600 Thanksgiving baskets to underserved families and another 450 hot meals to residents of the Rescue Mission.

The longstanding tradition resonating with several players, who appreciate the opportunity to give back to the fans that cheer them on at every game.

“I mean, it just shows they care about the community. Obviously, the community makes the environment that we play in and that’s important to us and obviously Pat has carried this tradition for as long as possible so it’s good that we give back ’cause they keep coming to see us play,” said Heat center Bam Adebayo.

The event held even more meaning for Heat shooting guard Norman Powell, who is in his first season with the team after arriving in a trade over the summer.

“I think it’s amazing, you know, something that you look forward to every single year. I know how big it means to [Spoelstra] and Pat and the organization, the guys talking about coming out and being a part of the community, with me in my first time, you know, it means a lot,” said Heat shooting guard Norman Powell.

The seemingly simple gesture from players created a memorable holiday season for countless residents and fans.

“So today is the day where they can take the load off, they can play bingo with a Heat player, they can get their meal from a Heat player, and that means the world for them too, to know that in this holiday season, they still matter,” said Caring Place President Antonio Villasuso.

Davion Mitchell scored 18 points for Miami, which got 14 from Simone Fontecchio and 13 apiece from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson.

Deuce McBride scored 25 for New York, which got 23 from Mikal Bridges and a 22-point, 16-rebound effort from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Miami led by 10 with 3 minutes left before the Knicks finished on an 11-3 run. New York got within one point on a 3-pointer by Towns with 22.4 seconds left, and Mitchell pushed Miami’s lead back to two about a second later by making the second of two free throws.

That set up a most eventful final possession for New York, one in which the Knicks thought they tied the game on a goaltending call that was overturned after review.

McBride missed a jumper, Towns got the offensive rebound and missed, and referees said Ware was guilty of goaltending — the call that was overturned. Play resumed with a jump ball at midcourt that the Knicks controlled.

McBride missed again, Towns got two more offensive rebounds and missed both attempts to tie, and the game ended with Mitchell having corralled the final rebound for Miami as time expired.

The Heat were again without Bam Adebayo (toe) and Tyler Herro (ankle). The Knicks were without Jalen Brunson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (hamstring). Miami had a 43-28 edge in bench scoring; the only Knicks reserves who scored were Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson, who both finished with 14 points.

Up next

Knicks: Visit Dallas on Wednesday.

Heat: Host Golden State on Wednesday.

Jordan Clarkson scored 25 points, Mikal Bridges had 15, and Josh Hart recorded his first triple-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Knicks posted a season-high point total.

Jalen Brunson missed his first game of the season due to a sprained right ankle sustained in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando. OG Anunoby left the game after two minutes with a left hamstring strain and did not return.

Norman Powell scored a season-high 38 points to lead the Heat. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 23. Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware scored 15 points apiece, while Pelle Larsson had 14 and Davion Mitchell 11.

The Knicks and Heat are 1-1 in Group C play.

The Knicks trailed 62-61 in the second quarter before Towns connected on consecutive 3-pointers and a pair of free throws. New York never trailed again and led 78-68 at halftime.

Miami got within two at 104-102, but the Knicks held on for a 110-104 lead after the third quarter.

After Jaquez hit a layup to open the final quarter, the Knicks responded with a 10-0 run and went on to take their biggest lead at 125-110 on Shamet’s 3-pointer with 6:55 left.

Miami never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

The Heat had their biggest lead after scoring the first seven points of the game, and were ahead 35-32 after the first quarter.

Up next

The teams meet again in Miami on Monday.

Miami Heat staffers were on deck at the Government Center train station handing out free Cuban pastries and coffee to riders.

It was all part of the Heat’s initiative to inspire people with good deeds.

“Spread kindness. That’s the gist of it. Spread kindness, be kind to one another; And all we ask for is for them to pay it forward. To do something nice for someone else today,” said Ralph Leon, Senior Director of Social Responsibility at the Miami Heat.

Additionally, as part of their initiative, the Heat also donated to local schools and honored community members.

Thursday is also World Kindness Day.

De’Andre Hunter scored 21 points for the Cavaliers, who lost 140-138 in overtime at Miami on Monday. Lonzo Ball had 15 points and eight assists, and reserve Craig Porter Jr. finished with 19 points, nine assists and four blocks.

Cleveland improved to 15-7 when coming off a regular-season loss since coach Kenny Atkinson took over before last season.

Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor finished with 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting.

The Cavs scored 29 points off 21 Miami turnovers and turned a 14-point deficit in the third quarter into a 99-98 lead — their first of the game — with 10:03 left. Cleveland never trailed from there, outscoring the Heat 31-18 over the final 10 minutes.

Norman Powell scored 27 points for Miami, which dropped 1-7 in its last eight games against Cleveland. Davion Mitchell added 16 points.

Miami’s Andrew Wiggins had 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but he also had five turnovers. Kel’el Ware added with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Cleveland played without a trio of All-Stars; guard Darius Garland, who aggravated his surgically repaired left toe on Monday, guard Donovan Mitchell (rest) and forward Evan Mobley (rest). Miami was without Bam Adebayo (toe) and Tyler Herro (heel).

Miami led by as many as 12 in the second before Cleveland finished the quarter on a 15-4 run to pull within three at the half.

Up next

Cavaliers: Host Toronto on Thursday.

Heat: Visit New York on Friday.

That wait ended Monday.

Spoelstra called the play and let Quinn run the huddle in the final time-out of the game with four-tenths of a second left in overtime, drawing up how Norman Powell would create a distraction and Davion Mitchell would set a screen and Jaime Jaquez Jr. would just hang out in the corner and Nikola Jovic would throw a lob inbounds pass and Andrew Wiggins, if all went according to plan, would have a dunk at the rim.

“Perfect,” Jaquez Jr. said.

Everything went as it should. Final score: Miami 140, Cleveland 138, capping one of the wilder games in this wild start to the NBA season.

“I’m just embracing the unknown, embracing the confidence guys are gaining in what we’re doing,” Spoelstra said. “It always helps when you get some W’s out of it, but guys understand our identity to defend and now can create some things for us offensively. Guys are growing right before our eyes.”

Cleveland took 120 shots in the game, the most ever by a Heat opponent and the most by any team in the NBA since Jan. 2, 2023. The Cavaliers took 65 3-pointers, also the most ever by a Miami opponent and the third-highest total in NBA history — Houston took 70 on Jan. 16, 2019 and took 68 three nights later for spots No. 1 and 2 on that list.

And it wasn’t enough.

“That’s a chess game. Chess match. You’ve got to give them credit,” said Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, who made a crazy 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in overtime — almost an afterthought because of what the Heat did next. “They made an excellent read, an excellent call and you learn from these things. This is great this happened now. This is something that, you get to a situation later in the year and say, ‘OK, we understand where we can adjust.’ We watch the film and go from there.”

There were numbers Cleveland didn’t like, such as the 21-4 discrepancy in free-throw attempts in the third quarter — which coach Kenny Atkinson pointed out to the officiating crew and earned an ejection in the process.

“When the disparity’s that great, you’ve got to stick up for your guys,” Atkinson said.

Spoelstra had a different disparity in mind coming into the game: a 55-point one that was on the scoreboard the last time the Heat and Cavaliers played.

Round 1, Game 4, Eastern Conference first-round in Miami. Cleveland embarrassed the Heat, winning 138-83 to sweep what was the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history. The Cavaliers scored exactly 138 points again on Monday — and the Heat found a way to win anyway.

That series led Spoelstra to change almost everything about the way Miami plays. The offense is unrecognizable compared to what it was. The pace is super-fast compared to past years. The goal is to attack on every possession, either getting to the rim or getting a 3-pointer in the air. Cleveland forced the Heat to reassess everything.

So far, that seems like a good thing for Miami.

“The new offense, it’s night and day,” Wiggins said. “We’re out there, playing with a lot of joy, playing fast. Everyone’s out there in great rhythm, so it’s been a great start of the year.”

Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points and Pelle Larsson added 19 for Miami.

Rookie Kon Knueppel had his highest-scoring game as a pro, finishing with 30 for Charlotte. Tre Mann scored 20 points for Charlotte, and Miles Bridges finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Miami scored a franchise-record 53 points in the first quarter — the second highest-scoring first quarter in NBA history — and led by 26 points with 9:20 left in the second quarter.

It was 64-38. Barely seven minutes later, it was 66-65 — after Charlotte went on a 27-2 run. But the Hornets never led, and the Heat pulled away in the fourth.

The Heat managed only 19 points in the second quarter. They became the second team in the NBA’s shot-clock era — which started in 1954 — to score at least 50 in one quarter and then fail to score 20 in the next quarter of the same regular season game. Memphis also did it on March 5, 2023 in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Hornets rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner was 5-for-7 from the field — and his shooting percentage actually dropped. Kalkbrenner came into the game shooting 82.9%, and that rate fell to 81.3% on Friday.

Up next

Hornets: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

Heat: Host Portland on Saturday night.

The NBA record for first quarters is held by Golden State, which scored 55 in the first 12 minutes against Portland on April 9, 2023.

Miami made 10 3-pointers in the quarter and led 53-33 when the period was complete. Miami used nine players in the quarter and all nine scored, with Norman Powell scoring a team-best 11 in that opening period.

The previous Heat record for points in a quarter was 48, in the fourth quarter against New York on March 2, 1989. The previous first-quarter Heat record was 47 at Washington on Jan. 9, 2021.

The 53-point outburst tied for the ninth-highest scoring quarter in the NBA’s shot-clock era, which goes back to 1951, including playoff games. The only other higher-scoring quarters:

— Buffalo scored 58 in the fourth quarter against Boston on Oct. 20, 1972.

— Phoenix scored 57 in the second quarter against Denver on Nov. 10, 1990, and Golden State scored 57 in the third quarter against Sacramento on March 4, 1989.

— Golden State had its 55-point first quarter against Portland on April 9, 2023, and Memphis scored 55 in the third quarter against New Orleans on April 9, 2022.

— Atlanta scored 54 in the third quarter against Houston on Feb. 11, 1970, Indiana scored 54 in the third quarter against Denver on Nov. 9, 2010, and Boston scored 54 in the fourth quarter against Houston on Feb. 25, 1970.

The Hornets trailed by as many as 26 points in the second quarter, before Miami cooled considerably. The Heat, even after the big opening quarter, led only 72-69 at the half.

Spoelstra’s home was destroyed by a blaze that broke out sometime around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. His children, Santiago, Dante and Ruby were at their mother’s home at the time and nobody was injured in the blaze.

“Things in the house, those things can be replaced,” Spoelstra said before Miami’s game with the Charlotte Hornets. “And if they can’t be replaced, what does it really matter? This is really what matters. Family, the closest ones, our dog also was safe, thank God. We’re just grateful. We’re grateful that everybody is safe and in a great place.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Spoelstra said the Heat offered him a few days off if he needed to deal with personal matters, and he declined.

“The kids wanted to come to the game tonight,” Spoelstra said. “So, I figured if they want to come to the game, then I’d better work.”

Spoelstra was on an airplane when the fire started, flying home with the Heat from a Wednesday night game in Denver. The fire was called in around 4:36 a.m. Thursday, county records showed, and the Heat charter landed in Miami about 35 minutes later.

Multiple fire trucks were at the fully involved scene when Spoelstra arrived at his home. He was seen walking around the outside of the property in the pre-dawn hours, sometimes stopping and holding his head in apparent disbelief as flames shot into the darkness.

“I want to give a shoutout to the first responders, the police officers and the firemen. They were amazing,” Spoelstra said. “They weren’t able to save our house, but obviously we’ve seen things that could have spread to the rest of the neighborhood. They were very kind while they were trying to put out all the flames.”

Spoelstra said the Heat family have all offered support, and that even some of the wives and girlfriends of players on the team are already busy trying to help the kids — who went to school as normal on Friday — with a surprise or two.

“Possibly some toys that were lost in the house,” Spoelstra said. “They’ve been amazing.”

Drone footage showed that much of the home was reduced to charred rubble. Some crews remained on the scene, monitoring hotspots, until early Thursday afternoon — about eight hours after the fire was called in.

“Ladder trucks were used to attack the fire from above,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a news release. “The intense heat and a partial roof collapse forced crews to take a defensive approach, fighting the fire from the outside to ensure firefighter safety. … The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

Spoelstra, who has been with the Heat since 1995 and head coach since 2008, bought the five-bedroom home in December 2023. He had done extensive work to the property following the purchase.

He finalized a deal last month to serve as coach of the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I just want to thank everybody for this overwhelming support,” Spoelstra said, with his sons on either side of him as he spoke and his daughter in his lap. “The South Florida community has just been absolutely remarkable. People reaching out, wanting to help. It’s obviously been something that’s uniquely challenging for our family, but Spoelstras are resilient.”

7News cameras captured the adjusters as they headed inside the property, located near Southwest 49th Avenue and 80th Street in the Ponce-Davis neighborhood, Friday morning, A Florida Highway Patrol cruiser was seen parked outside.

The visit comes after the five-bedroom, six-bath residence burst into flames early Thursday morning.

“A single family home. We’ve got fire in the back,” a first responder is heard saying in radio transmissions.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Victoria Byrd addressed reporters after daybreak.

“We found fire that was as tall as the trees,” she said.

7News cameras captured Spoelstra as he watched helplessly as his home was consumed by the flames. The coach was flying back to South Florida with the team after they played against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday night.

Dozens of MDFR firefighters battled the blaze for hours. Byrd said the lush landscape surrounding the home made their fight even harder.

“Due to the privacy wall and a lot of the tree cover, it was very difficult to access, with only one point of entry,” she said.

Crews managed to keep the fire from spreading to neatby homes on Southwest 80th Street.

“We used multiple aerial apparatuses, fire engines and rescues to help combat this incident,” said Byrd. 

7Skyforce captured the aftermath of the fire, after flames gutted most of the structure.

Spoelstra bought the one-acre property in 2023 for $6.6 million, Neighbors told 7News he had since renovated the house, which spans more than 5,700 square feet and features.a pool, outdoor kitchen and tennis courts.

Two weeks ago, Spolestra invited his team to his home fo a barbecue. The Heat posted a video showing players using the grill and playing soccer.

Now the home, reduced to soot and ash, has been declared a total loss.

The Heat are scheduled to host the Charlotte Hornets at the Kaseya Center, Friday night. Spoelstra will be coaching.

It was Denver’s 11th straight regular-season win over the Heat.

Jokic was 12 of 18 from the floor. He finished his triple-double by grabbing an offensive rebound with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Aaron Gordon added 24 points for the Nuggets, who improved to 4-0 at home this season.

The Nuggets led by 17 points in the fourth quarter before the Heat cut the deficit to eight with 43 seconds left. Jamal Murray sealed it with a pair of free throws.

Miami hasn’t won a game in the Mile High City during the regular season since Nov. 30, 2016. They did beat the Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals. Denver won the series in five games for its only title.

Norman Powell had 23 points for Miami, which finished a four-game trip with a 1-3 mark. Bam Adebayo didn’t play after the first quarter due to a left foot injury. The Heat will know more about his status Thursday. Miami was outrebounded by a 61-38 margin.

Powell started the game with a 3-pointer, marking the first time the Nuggets have trailed at home all season. They led wire-to-wire in their opening three games at Ball Arena.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game that going against his Nuggets counterpart David Adelman was a “surreal” experience given his close relationship with the Adelman family. Spoelstra considers David Adelman’s father, Rick, a role model.

Up next

Heat: Start a four-game homestand Friday against Charlotte.

Nuggets: Host Golden State on Friday.

7News cameras captured heavy flames and smoke billowing from the house, located near Southwest 49th Avenue and 80th Street in the Ponce-Davis neighborhood, just before 6 a.m. on Thursday, as well as several Miami-Dade Fire Rescue trucks.

“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded with over 20 units, including a hazardous materials response,” said MDFR Battalion Chief Victoria Byrd.

According to fire officials, the blaze sparked at around 4:30 a.m.

“A single family home. We’ve got fire in the back,” a first responder is heard saying in radio transmissions.

Firefighters initially appeared to focus on the garage before the flames spread across the one-acre property. Adding to the challenge of combating the two-alarm blaze is that the residence is surrounded by trees, and there is another home right behind it.

“We found fire that was as tall as the trees. Our units came in, did an excellent job,” said Byrd.

Cameras captured the moment Spoelstra arrived on the property at around 5:10 a.m, looking distraught as he watched his five-bedroom, six-bath home engulfed in flames. The coach was in Denver Wednesday night, where the Heat played against the Nuggets and lost 122-112.

Officials said crews could only get their trucks into the property through the front, so they mainly tried to fight the flames from above using ladders.

“We used multiple aerial apparatuses, fire engines and rescues to help combat this incident,” said Byrd. “Due to the privacy wall and a lot of the tree cover, it was very difficult to access, with only one point of entry.”

7’s Drone Force captured the devastating aftermath. Almost the entire home had collapsed to the ground.

Exhausted firefighters took turns trying to douse the flames from multiple angles, taking breaks when they could.

“The men and women from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were able to extinguish this fire and do the best job that they could,” said Byrd.

At around noon, firefighters were seen putting away their ladders and equipment.

Red caution tape was wrapped across the entrance of the home and part of the home’s roof had collapsed.

Neighbors told 7News that the home had been undergoing extensive renovations since Spoelstra moved into the property in 2023.

The house boasted over 5,700 square feet of living space covered by a canopy of trees and was purchased for $6.6 million. The property features an impressive backyard, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, tennis courts and plenty of space to entertain.

Two weeks ago, Spoelstra invited the whole team over to his home for a barbecue as they kick-started the new NBA season. Video posted to Instagram showed players engoing a game of soccer in the backyard and cooking on the grill.

Now the house is a total loss, but officials said crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.

Officials said no one was injured, adding the home was unoccupied at the time the fire started, as they continue to investigate.

The Miami Heat released a statement on Thursday evening, saying they are grateful no one was hurt and their thoughts and prayers are with the coach and his family.

The Heat will play the Hornets at the Kaseya Center on Friday night. Spoelstra is expected to hold his usual pre-game media availability and also attend the game.

Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points and Kel’el Ware added 16 to help the Heat end a two-game losing streak and win on the road for the second time in five games. Miami is 1-2 to open a four-game trip.

James Harden scored 29 points and Kawhi Leonard added 27 as the Los Angeles Clippers lost at home for the first time in four games this season.

Ivica Zubac had nine points and 18 rebounds for Los Angeles. Derrick Jones Jr., Bradley Beal and John Collins each scored 12 points.

The Heat shot 54.2% from the floor and made 12 of their 25 3-point attempts to 50% for the Clippers, who were 17 of 41 from long range. Los Angeles had 21 turnovers that the Heat turned into 37 points.

Miami led 120-116 after two free throws from Adebayo with 56 seconds remaining. Adebayo missed a shot inside with 26 second left and Harden made a 3-pointer on the other end with 20 seconds left to pull the Clippers within a point.

The Clippers had a chance to win it, but Leonard missed a 26-foot step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Clippers trailed by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before getting even 105-105 with 9:55 remaining on a 3-pointer from veteran Chris Paul.

Up next

Heat: At Denver on Wednesday night

Clippers: Host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Jamie Jaquez Jr. scored 31 points for the Heat and Bam Adebayo and Pelle Larsson added 17 points each.

The Heat never led. The Lakers jumped to a 8-0 lead and led by 18 points in the first half.

Jake LaRavia had 25 points off the bench for LA and Jaxson Hayes scored a season-high 15 points. He made all seven of his shots and his first 3-pointer as a Laker.

LaRavia had a big left-handed dunk early in the fourth quarter and Reaves set him up in the fourth quarter with an alley-oop pass that led to another dunk and a 118-110 lead with just under five minutes left.

The Lakers again played short-handed. LeBron James has yet to play this season because of sciatica on his right side and DeAndre Ayton was out with back spasms. James is targeted to return this month.

He got up off the bench when his son Bronny James converted a dunk off an alley-oop pass from Reaves in the first quarter. Reaves was setting up his teammates nicely and finished with 11 assists.

LA’s Marcus Smart earned his 1,000th career steal.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter sat courtside one day after the Dodgers won the World Series in Game 7 in Toronto. It’s been a big week for Walter, who also finalized the purchase of a majority stake in the Lakers.

Up next

Heat: At Clippers on Monday night.

Lakers: At Portland on Monday night.

San Antonio won four straight to open a season on three previous occasions, most recently 2017. The Spurs, Heat and Sacramento Kings were the only franchises never to open a season 5-0. Miami couldn’t prevent San Antonio from exiting that club despite a determined effort.

Bam Adebayo had 31 points, 10 rebounds and three assists for the Heat in a matchup of All-Star centers.

The Heat were without Norman Powell (strained groin), Tyler Herro (ankle), Kasparas Jakucionis (strained groin) and Nikola Jovic (bruised hip), but the depleted roster made a strong push in the fourth quarter before Miami’s three-game winning streak was snapped.

The Heat had a 17-1 run in the first 4:35 of the final quarter, with Wembanyama’s second free throw the lone point. The Heat had a 29-20 scoring advantage in the final quarter but the Spurs closed the game on an 8-3 run to preserve their winning streak.

San Antonio had six players score in double figures, including 21 points from Stephon Castle. Castle added eight assists and six rebounds, and Devin Vassell added 17 points.

Wembanyama has had at least one block in 90 straight games, the fourth-longest streak in league history.

Wembanyama exhorted the fans to get out of their seats and cheer after he rose from the court following a foul by Andrew Wiggins with 14.6 seconds remaining in the game. The fans didn’t need any persuading as they had already been standing to watch team history.

Up next

Heat: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Spurs: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Rozier’s salary — about $26.6 million this season, paid in installments, the first for this season having been due later this week — will be held pending resolution of the legal case, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the details were not released publicly.

The Heat will not receive any immediate salary cap relief by the NBA’s decision, one of the sources said. If Rozier is cleared and allowed to return to the NBA, which placed him on leave hours after his Oct. 23 arrest, he could receive the held payments in full, one of the sources said.

There are provisions in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement that allow the league, in certain situations, to place salary withheld from a player in an interest-bearing account.

Portland coach Chauncey Billups, who has also been placed on leave by the league after his arrest on gambling-related charges last week, is having his salary held by the Trail Blazers as well, one of the sources said. Billups is under contract into at least the 2026-27 season; the team announced that he agreed to a multiyear extension in April.

There was no immediate comment from either the Heat or the Trail Blazers.

Meanwhile, Rozier’s attorney said Wednesday that a federal lien filed with regard to the player’s tax bill in 2021 was satisfied.

The Internal Revenue Service filed that lien against Rozier in November 2023, showing an “unpaid balance of assessment” of $8,218,211.70 for the 2021 tax year. But Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, said in an email to the AP that the actual amount owed to the IRS at that time was a sliver of that total.

“There was never a debt of $8 million,” Trusty wrote. “Out of his total taxes owed in 2021 ($8m) he actually owed $9000. That was paid but the now-defunct lien still needs to be pulled from the local courthouse.”

ESPN first reported the lien’s existence. The lien is a public record, and there is no publicly available document showing it has been removed.

Officials in Broward County, Florida — where the lien was filed — did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A call seeking information from an IRS revenue officer was unanswered. Revenue officers work for the IRS to collect delinquent taxes.

Rozier owns a home in Broward County and records show his property taxes have been paid in full each year. That property is about 30 miles from where the Heat play their home games.

Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets during that 2021 tax year and is now on the Heat roster. He, Billups and nearly three dozen other individuals were arrested last week on gambling-related charges detailed in two separate indictments.

Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, has denied the allegations against his client.

Federal officials alleged that Rozier conspired with associates to help them win bets based on his statistical performance in a game when he was with the Hornets on March 23, 2023 — more than seven months before the lien was prepared and nearly eight months before it was formally filed. Rozier played sparingly in that game and gamblers who wagered that he would finish “under” certain statistical totals won those bets.

The charges against Rozier are similar to what former Toronto player Jontay Porter faced before he was banned from the league by Commissioner Adam Silver in 2024.

Rozier did not play in the final eight games of that 2022-23 season, with he and the Hornets citing a foot injury. The Hornets had several players injured at that time and were already eliminated from playoff contention.

Sportsbooks detected unusual patterns of wagers on the Charlotte game in question — prop bets involving Rozier were flagged and immediately brought to the NBA’s attention — and the league probed the matter but did not find enough evidence to conclude that Rozier broke any rules. The NBA, unlike federal law enforcement, does not have subpoena power.

Trusty has said Rozier is “not a gambler” and looks forward to winning the case.

The NBA said earlier this week that it is reviewing how sensitive information like injury reports — which are public and updated hourly — should be handled going forward. Members of the House and Senate have both asked the NBA for more information.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on that panel, wrote Silver this week seeking detail “about how the NBA investigated and handled these allegations” and why the NBA allowed Rozier to continue playing.

Bam Adebayo had 26 points and Andrew Wiggins added 21 for the Heat, who won their third straight game after losing the season opener to Orlando. They played without leading scorer Norman Powell, who had 29 points in the win over New York on Sunday and was scratched because of a groin injury he felt during the morning shootaround.

Jaquez led the Heat to a 58-33 advantage in bench points, going 9 for 14 from the floor while posting a plus-43 rating. The third-year guard, drafted with the 18th pick by the Heat in 2023, is shooting 69% through four games (31 for 45). The Heat, who were just 24th in the NBA last season in scoring, are averaging 132 points.

Pelle Larsson started in place of Powell and pitched in 17 points and five rebounds for the Heat, who closed the first half on an 11-0 run over the final 3:13 to take a 76-60 lead. After the Hornets pulled within three, the Heat used a 23-7 surge that stretched into the fourth quarter to retake control.

LaMelo Ball, who had a triple-double for the Hornets in the previous game in a win over Washington, had 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and rookie Kon Knueppel added 19 points. The Hornets played for the second straight game without starting forward Brandon Miller, who suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday at Philadelphia. Miller missed 55 games last season after wrist surgery.

Up next

Hornets: Host Orlando on Thursday.

Heat: Visit San Antonio on Thursday to start a four-game road trip.

The NBA placed Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups on immediate leave from their teams after the news of their arrests broke Thursday. Rozier is accused of conspiring to help associates win bets based on his performance.

Nikola Jovic added 20 points for Miami, Kel’el Ware had 19, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Heat’s first victory of the season.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 19 points, rookie Cedric Coward finished with 16, and Santi Aldama had 13. Ja Morant, who had 35 points in an opening win over New Orleans, managed only 12 points, going 4 of 16 from the field.

The game was never close after Miami built a double-digit lead early with 17 straight points in the first quarter, Adebayo had 18 points in the period.

Near the midway point of the second period, the lead swelled to 56-30 fueled by Miami shooting 65%, including 8 of 11 from outside the arc. The Heat led 86-47 at the half.

Up next

Heat: Host New York on Sunday night in Miami’s home opener.

Grizzlies: Host Indiana on Saturday night.