Miami wins in a wild frenzy
Spurs with prodigy “Wemby” are weaker than they have been for a long time
December 1, 2023, 7:25 a.m
For three quarters the Indiana Pacers look like the sure winner – then the Miami Heat turn up the heat. Only once in the team’s history have there been more points in the last twelve minutes. World champion Daniel Theis suffers the next bankruptcy with the Clippers.
The Miami Heat finally won against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA with an outstanding final quarter. Thanks to a furious 45 points in the last round, Jimmy Butler’s team turned the game around and won 142:132. The Miami Heat had only scored more points in a fourth quarter once before.
“That’s definitely not the way we play basketball,” Butler said. “But a win is a win.” Butler scored 36 points and his team hit 15 of the last 17 shots, turning around a game in which they had not been leading until 104:103 with ten minutes left. The career high of 44 points for Pacers pro Tyrese Haliburton was worthless in the end.
Jalen Brunson was similarly successful in the New York Knicks’ 118:112 win against the Detroit Pistons. Brunson scored 42 points and caused the Pistons’ 16th defeat in a row. This has never happened in the history of the team. Isaiah Hartenstein hit his only shot in 17 minutes and also contributed three rebounds and three steals. World champion Daniel Theis and the Los Angeles Clippers lost to the Golden State Warriors 114:120. Theis had ten points and two assists and rebounds each.
Doesn’t work (anymore) for “Wemby”
Victor Wembanyama entered the NBA to make history – but these days he first has to deal with a historic series of defeats. The San Antonio Spurs with the exceptional French talent also lost to the Atlanta Hawks in an offensive exchange of blows 135:137, it was the 13th defeat in a row for coach Gregg Popovich’s team.
With three wins and 15 defeats, the Spurs are the weakest team in the Western Conference; they last had this record almost exactly 27 years ago: In December 1996, after a weak start to the season, coach Bob Hill was fired, the decision was made by the general manager at the time Popovich – who then took over himself and became a coaching legend.
The Spurs started strongly against the Hawks, leading by 15 points, Wembanyama was a big factor at the start. The 19-year-old had a good 21 points and 12 rebounds, but the outstanding man on the court was Atlanta’s Trae Young with 45 points and 14 assists. Wembanyama’s appearance was questionable before the game due to hip problems, but he may be rested in the upcoming game with the New Orleans Pelicans. “We’re trying to protect him,” said Popovich: “We have to see how his hip is doing.”