NBA • Sacramento Kings • Miami Heat

California's Sacramento (AP) — The Miami Heat, who are on a short leash, defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-110 on Monday night, thanks to 28 points from Bam Adebayo and 26 from Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Caleb Martin scored 16 points and Kevin Love added 19 points off the bench to lead the Heat, who were without three starters due to injury or suspension, including standout player Jimmy Butler.

"Everyone has to step up when you're missing a guy like that," Jaquez said. He plays such a significant role in our group, therefore it goes without saying that we miss him. Nevertheless, we still need to play a game. We want to step up for the men that need to step up.

Domantas Sabonis of Sacramento had an NBA-high 21st triple-double of the season with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. In addition, Sabonis became the tenth player in league history to record 40 consecutive double-doubles in a single season.

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Sacramento's three-game winning run was ended as a result of their inability to build on a significant away victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, despite the team's 28 points from Keegan Murray and 27 from De'Aaron Fox.

They performed well both offensively and defensively when they arrived here, according to Fox. "We need to improve. The ball can't be turned over the way I did. However, it's not as if they didn't enter and take hard shots.

In the 57th game of the season, Miami used 30 different starting lineups as a result of the significant absences. Thomas Bryant, Nikola Jovic, and Butler were suspended for their roles in the altercation that took place in New Orleans on Friday night. Orlando Robinson (back), Josh Richardson (right shoulder), Tyler Herro (left knee), and Terry Rozier (right knee) were all sidelined due to injury.

However, it didn't stop the Heat, who had a lot of support from underappreciated players like reserve Haywood Highsmith, who scored all 15 of his points in the first half, and Delon Wright, who scored 13 points in his Miami debut.

After Sacramento went on a 20-4 run during the first quarter, the Heat held on to take a 65-62 lead at the half and continued to build from there.

Love finished the third quarter with 10 points during a 17-2 surge that put Miami up 101-81.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said, "He just allowed us to kind of go retro Kevin Love, where we were just running our offense through him." "He's very intelligent, athletic, and witty. You saw it tonight. He is just as terrific in brief bursts as he ever was.

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The Kings attempted to rally, and in less than a minute, Kevin Huerter and Murray each drained two 3-pointers to start a 14-1 run that trimmed the lead to six points halfway through the fourth quarter on a floater by Fox.

With 3:41 remaining, Fox's layup brought Sacramento as close as two points, but Jaquez's consecutive buckets helped hold off the Kings.

Next up

Heat: Spend Tuesday in Portland.

Kings: Travel to Denver on Wed.

The Sacramento, California, — Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 26 points and Bam Adebayo scored 28 for the undermanned Miami Heat, which defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-110 on Monday night for its fourth consecutive victory.

Kevin Love and Caleb Martin both contributed 19 points off the bench for the Heat, who were missing three starters (including star Jimmy Butler) due to injuries or suspensions. Martin added 16, while Love contributed 19.

Jaquez stated, "When you're missing a player like that, everyone has to step up." "Being such an integral member of our group, his absence is undoubtedly something we are saddened by. Nevertheless, we must still engage in a competition. "Guys, you must take the initiative, and we intend to do so on their behalf."

With 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, Domantas Sabonis of Sacramento recorded his 21st triple-double of the season, which was a season high. Additionally, Sabonis surpassed ten players in the history of the league in career-long double-digit double-doubles.

Despite Keegan Murray and De'Aaron Fox combining for 28 points and 27 points, respectively, Sacramento was unable to build on a dominant road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and had its three-game winning streak halted.

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Fox stated, "They came here and performed admirably on both the offensive and defensive ends." "We must improve ourselves. I am unable to bat the ball over as I once did. Although that does not mean they did not attempt difficult strikes from within."

Miami utilized its 30th different starting lineup in its 57th game of the season due to the critical absences. Thomas Bryant, Nikola Jovic, and Butler were all suspended for their participation in an altercation on Friday night in New Orleans. Injury-related absences included Terry Rozier (right knee), Tyler Herro (left knee), Josh Richardson (right shoulder), and Orlando Robinson (back).

However, that did not deter the Heat, who received substantial contributions from underappreciated players such as reserve Haywood Highsmith, who accumulated all 15 of his points in the first half, and Delon Wright, who scored 13 points in his debut with Miami.

After Sacramento's 20-4 surge during the first-half, the Heat maintained a 65-62 halftime lead and continued to improve from there.

Love tallied ten points during a 17-2 surge that propelled Miami to a 101-81 third-quarter lead.

"He simply gave us permission to run our offense through him in a manner reminiscent of Kevin Love in the past," said coach Erik Spoelstra. "He is so intelligent, physical, and cunning. You witnessed that he is, for brief periods of time, just as effective as he was last night.

The Kings attempted to mount a revival, and Murray and Huerter each made two 3-pointers in less than a minute to ignite a 14-1 run that was reduced to six by Fox's floater in the fourth quarter.

With 3:41 remaining, Sacramento came within two points on a layup by Fox, but Jaquez's back-to-back baskets helped hold off the Kings.

SEE NEXT

Visit Portland on Tuesday for the heat.

King's: Wednesday, travel to Denver.
 

(AP) – In Sacramento, California, The undermanned Miami Heat won their fourth consecutive game on Monday night, 121-110, against the Sacramento Kings. Bam Adebayo scored 28 points and Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 26.

The Heat were without three starters due to injuries or suspensions, including star Jimmy Butler, but Kevin Love gave them a huge boost with 19 points off the bench and Caleb Martin added 16.

Everyone needs to do their part when a player like that isn't there, Jaquez said. We certainly sense his absence since he is an integral component of our squad. It makes no difference; we must play a game anyhow. Men must take charge, and we intend to do it in their honor.

With 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, Domantas Sabonis of Sacramento had his 21st triple-double of the season, which is an NBA record. Additionally, Sabonis became only the tenth player in league history to record 40 consecutive double-doubles in a single season.

Despite having 28 points from Keegan Murray and 27 points from De'Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings were unable to extend their winning streak after a huge away victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

"They arrived here and displayed strong performance on offense and defense," Fox said. "We need to step up our game. Like I did, I can't turn the ball over. They obviously came in here and made difficult shots, however.

Due to important absences, Miami started a fresh lineup for the 57th game of the season, which was their 30th change. Following their involvement in the altercation that occurred on Friday night in New Orleans, Thomas Bryant, Nikola Jovic, and Butler were all suspended. Several players were ruled out due to injuries: Tyler Herro (left knee), Terry Rozier (right knee), Josh Richardson (right shoulder), and Orlando Robinson (back).

The Heat, nevertheless, rode on the shoulders of unsung heroes like reserve Haywood Highsmith—who scored all fifteen of his points in the first half—and rookie Delon Wright—who scored thirteen points in his Miami debut—to defeat the underdogs. 

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The Heat held Sacramento to a 20-4 run during the first quarter break, took a 65-62 advantage into halftime, and continued to dominate thereafter.

At the conclusion of the third quarter, Miami led 101–81 thanks to a 17–2 run when Love scored 10 points.

He made it possible for the team to "go retro Kevin Love," where they would run their offense through him, according to coach Erik Spoelstra. He's very intelligent, athletic, and perceptive. You saw that he is just as excellent as before for brief periods of time.

In an effort to rally, the Kings got two 3-pointers from Murray and one from Kevin Huerter in under a minute, kicking off a 14-1 run that, thanks to a floater by Fox in the middle of the fourth quarter, reduced the lead to six points.

With 3 minutes and 41 seconds remaining, Fox laid up to get Sacramento within two points, but Jaquez scored twice in a row to help the Kings escape.

Coming up

Heat: Tuesday is the day to go to Portland.

Kings: On Wednesday, you'll fly to Denver.