Shorthanded Heat rout Wizards 140-117, keep hope alive of moving up in play-in race
Plenty was missing Friday night at Capital One Arena, including several Miami Heat mainstays, and any semblance of competition. But at least hope remains, still with an outside chance of moving up in the standings. To their credit, even while shorthanded, the Heat seized the moment, rolling to a 140-117 victory over the league-worst Washington Wizards in their final road game of the regular season.
With Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell among those sidelined, others stepped up for Erik Spoelstra’s team beyond another tone-setting performance from center Bam Adebayo, who closed with 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. That included 24 points from emergency starter Simone Fontecchio and 24 in reserve from Pelle Larsson and 23 in reserve from Jaime Jaquez Jr. , who continues to state his case for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
At 42-38, a winning record is now assured ahead of Sunday night’s season finale against the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat entered with 10 losses in their previous 13. At 17-63, the Wizards met their season-long mandate of finishing with the league’s worst record.
Still No. 10 in the East even with the loss, the Heat could move up to No. 9 and therefore host a play-in game if they defeat the Hawks on Sunday and the No.
9 Charlotte Hornets lose at the same time to the New York Knicks. Five Degrees of Heat from Friday night’s game: 1. Game flow: The Heat led 34-23 after the opening period and 72-52 at halftime.