Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson scored 24 points each as the Miami Heat snapped a two-game losing streak, crushing the host Washington Wizards 140-117 on Friday night.
Bam Adebayo added 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat (42-39), who are locked into a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Adebayo scored a franchise-record 83 points against Washington on March 10 — the second-biggest point total in NBA history.
Miami completed a 4-0 season sweep of Washington. The Heat, however, have just four wins over the past 14 games. Half of their victories during that span came against the Wizards, who have lost nine games in a row.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points for the Heat, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 16.
Miami was without three starters: Tyler Herro (foot), Norman Powell (groin) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder). Two Heat reserves also sat out, Dru Smith (foot) and Nikola Jovic (ankle).
Bub Carrington led Washington (17-64) with 30 points, matching his season high. Bilal Coulibaly added 25 points and five assists and Will Riley scored 16 points the Wizards, who have the NBA’s worst record, fell for the 25th time in 26 games.
Washington was without 10 players, including its most recent addition to the injured list, Alex Sarr (toe).
Miami went on an 11-0 run, capped by a layup from Larsson, and finished the first quarter on top 34-23. The Heat shot 66.7% in the opening period, gaining a 22-4 edge in paint points.
By halftime, Miami was up 72-52 thanks in part to Adebayo’s 17 points and the team’s 63% shooting. Coulibaly led all first-half scorers with 19 points.
In the third, Washington cut its deficit to 92-82 on an Anthony Gill drive with 3:18 left. However, by the end of the quarter, Miami had stretched its lead to 105-85.
The Heat cruised in the fourth, finishing the game with a 19-10 edge on second-chance points. Miami outshot 59.8% to 50% from the floor and had a 24-9 advantage on fastbreak points.
–Field Level Media
