The Sacramento Kings broke the Miami Heat’s five-game winning run with a 115-113 victory on Sunday, with De’Aaron Fox scoring 11 of his 24 points in the final six minutes, including two free throws with 6.2 seconds left.
Sacramento’s Buddy Hield added 26 points. Damian Jones led the team with 18 points and ten rebounds. Davion Mitchell led the team with 12 points.
“I made some plays,” Fox added, “and the team trusts me.” “It wasn’t part of the plan.” That’s how the game played out. We were able to complete this one.”
The Heat’s Tyler Herro and Omer Yurtseven both scored 22 points. Kyle Lowry chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
After Hield’s 3-pointer tied the game at 99, Miami briefly took the lead before Fox and the Kings helped the Kings finish strong.
The Kings’ point guard hit back-to-back floaters before hitting seven straight free throws down the stretch. After Jimmy Butler’s jumper knotted the game at 113, he hit his final two shots.
Fox made 14 of 15 free throws during the game.
Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry remarked, “He did a terrific job attacking, going to the line and shooting them with confidence.” “He was clearly on the attack tonight.” You’re in their paint, and you’re making a difference.”
Butler missed a short effort near the rim at the buzzer, denying Miami a chance to force overtime.
“Everyone believed his floater had a great shot to go from our vantage point,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Those plays don’t come up in games.” We could have made a lot of different plays to put ourselves in a better position.”
Butler, who finished with 21 points, said that driving to the basket was a mistake.
“If I’m being brutally honest, I probably should have shot a 3 anyhow,” Butler said. “I arrived at my destination. “I just made a layup.”
The Kings went on a 10-3 run to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter.
FAMILIAR APPEARANCES
Nik Stauskas and Kyle Guy, both former Kings draft picks on 10-day contracts, were on the Heat’s ever-changing roster. Stauskas, the eighth overall pick in 2014, scored five points in just 13 minutes. He played for Sacramento for one season before being traded to Philadelphia, and he also spent time in Brooklyn, Portland, and Cleveland. Guy, a second-round choice of the Kings in 2019, finished with seven points and four assists.
TIP-INS
Butler was 1 of 6 on three-pointers. Yurtseven has 10 or more rebounds in eight straight games, setting a season best in scoring. In the second quarter, Spoelstra received a technical foul. … Miami still has a large list of players that have gone missing. Bam Adebayo (right thumb) is among those on the list, as are Marcus Garrett, Udonis Haslem, Duncan Robinson, and Max Strus, who are all part of the NBA’s health and safety regulations.
Tyrese Haliburton had 12 assists for the Kings. The health and safety guidelines have been updated to include Richaun Holmes.
