Domantas Sabonis came through for the Sacramento Kings with a game-winning putback off an offensive rebound in the final seconds, securing a thrilling 111-110 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night. The Kings made an impressive comeback after being down by 15 points earlier in the game.
DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 28 points, followed by DeMar DeRozan with 26 points. Sabonis had a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to seven assists. On the other side, Jimmy Butler was a standout performer for the Heat, scoring 27 points, with 15 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Tyler Herro also contributed 27 points, while Bam Adebayo added 16 points.
Despite the Heat’s efforts, including a strong performance by Butler and Herro, they fell short in the final moments. Terry Rozier attempted a long-range shot at the buzzer for Miami, but it didn’t connect. The Heat struggled from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, going 7 for 12.
Sacramento was missing Kevin Huerter due to illness, with Keon Ellis stepping in as a starter. Miami welcomed back Kevin Love to the bench after his absence in the previous games. However, they were without Jaime Jaquez Jr. due to gastroenteritis.
The Kings capitalized on their momentum late in the game, with DeRozan’s four-point play igniting an 8-2 run to close out the game. Miami had a comfortable lead early in the third quarter but struggled as Sacramento outscored them 37-17 in that period. The Heat have faced challenges in third quarters at home this season, being outscored significantly in multiple games.
Looking ahead, Sacramento will face Toronto at home on Wednesday, while Miami kicks off a six-game road trip against Phoenix on the same day. The Kings will aim to build on their impressive win, while the Heat will look to regroup and bounce back on the road.
Overall, it was a thrilling matchup between the Kings and the Heat, with Sabonis’ clutch play ultimately deciding the outcome in Sacramento’s favor. Both teams showed resilience and determination throughout the game, making it an exciting contest for fans to watch.
