Kyle Kuzma scored a game-high 32 points and added nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks as the Washington Wizards stunned the host Miami Heat 110-108 on Sunday night.
It was Washington’s second straight victory after a franchise-tying 16-game losing streak.
Miami has lost three straight games, the Heat’s worst skid since seven straight losses in January.
The Heat missed two 3-point tries – by Duncan Robinson and then Jimmy Butler – that would have given them the lead in the final possession of the game.
Washington also got good performances from Corey Kispert (22 points, six assists); Deni Avdija (16 points, 10 rebounds); and Tyus Jones (12 points, 16 assists).
Miami was led by Butler’s 23 points. Bam Adebayo had 16 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Landry Shamet, who missed Washington’s previous game with a calf injury, returned and went scoreless through seven minutes. The Wizards were without Richaun Holmes (toe injury) and Marvin Bagley III (back spasms).
For Miami, Tyler Herro missed his eighth straight game with a foot injury. Kevin Love missed his sixth straight game, also with a foot injury.
There were two lead changes and three tie scores during a tight first quarter that ended with Miami leading, 27-25. The Heat had advantages in paint points (20-12) and second chance points (8-2).
The Heat, who shot 57.1 percent from the floor in the second quarter, extended their lead to 54-48 at halftime. Adebayo nearly had a double-double at the break with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Washington cut its deficit to 82-81 after three quarters. Kuzma led the Wizards’ rally with 11 points in the third, making 3 of 5 shots from the floor and 5 of 7 free throws.
Kuzma made a 3-pointer with 8:16 left in the fourth quarter, giving Washington its first lead of the second half, 91-90.
The Wizards extended their lead to 110-100 on a 3-pointer from Kuzma with 2:45 left. But the Heat rallied with eight straight points to cut their deficit to 110-108 with 31.5 seconds remaining.
Kuzma was then cautioned for an offensive foul with 12.2 seconds remaining, but Miami was unable to capitalize as Robinson missed a 3-pointer, and Butler did the same on the final shot of the game after recovering a long bounce.
The Wizards won the game by shooting 16 of 39 from 3-point range (41.0%). — Field media/Reuters
