The Miami Heat escaped what was a wild finish in Los Angeles. With eight seconds left in the game, Andre Iguodala tried to throw an inbounds pass to Jimmy Butler but turned it over. The Los Angeles Lakers, however, missed the game-tying shot in the end. It was a low-scoring game with both teams competing defensively. With the win, Miami is now 3-3 on the road trip and 13-17 for the season.
Here are my takeaways from Saturday’s win over the Lakers.
Nunn starts Strong
Kendrick Nunn had his best quarter of the season with 15 points in the first quarter. He attacked the basket and made threes in transition. Nunn even had a one-legged 15-foot runner he made in the first quarter. The best thing about his performance is that he was not forcing it. In a game that was headlined by Lebron James and Jimmy Butler, Kendrick Nunn ended up being the biggest story in the first quarter.
Kendrick outscored everyone tonight
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 21, 2021
👶🐐 pic.twitter.com/0LhFQYKXxl
Nunn finished with 27 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
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Heat own the paint
It wasn’t Miami’s most efficient performance of the season, finishing with 96 points on 42.4 percent shooting. But with Anthony Davis on the sidelines, the Heat took advantage of the paint. The Heat first quarter was very impressive, scoring 36 points on 60 percent shooting. They had 20 paint points on 10-of-15 shooting. Miami finished with 52 paint points along with 24-of-33 shooting at the rim.
Herro leaves the game
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, who has starred as Miami’s sixth man on the trip, did not play in the second half Saturday because of a right hip contusion he sustained in the first half. He picked up the injury after an and-one on Alex Caruso. The 21-year-old guard moved around with a slight limp and looked to be in some discomfort in the second quarter. He remained in the game until he was called to the bench with three minutes left in the first half.
Herro finished with five points and four rebounds in 14 minutes of action.
Cousins reportedly will consider Heat
Prior to Saturday’s game between the Miami and Los Angeles, the Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Houston Rockets and Demarcus Cousins will part ways. The Rockets are looking to go with a smaller frontcourt once Christian Woods returns. According to The Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds, the Heat will be one of few teams Cousins will consider.
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to go smaller, younger in frontcourt when Christian Wood returns and this allows Cousins to find an opportunity elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2021
Miami is also reportedly interested in the center. Although Cousins has rebounded well, he hasn’t been great as a defender. He’s also shooting 37 percent from the field. For the season, he is averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in just 20.2 minutes per game.
Next up: At Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 22.
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