Miami Heat (31-27) beat Memphis Grizzlies (21-34) 136-120 at home on Saturday, February 21 in a shootout, with the two teams combining for 256 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Heat had the better start, winning the first 39-33 to lead by 6 after one. The Grizzlies cut into the deficit with a 35-34 second quarter, though the Heat still led by 5 at halftime.
The Heat won the third 39-26 to create some separation, taking a 18-point lead into the fourth. The Grizzlies took the fourth 26-24; the Heat held on for a 136-120 regulation win.
What decided it
The Heat grabbed 39.5% of their own misses, while the Grizzlies recovered 18.4%. The Heat made 26.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 15.8 for the Grizzlies. The second chances kept adding up.
The Grizzlies did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 12 against 16.3. The Heat made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 110 possessions per team, the Heat produced 124.1 points per 100 possessions to 109.5 for the Grizzlies.
Who made the difference
Andrew Wiggins was the game's biggest individual force for MIA: 28 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast on 9-10 shooting. His Game Score of 29.2 led everyone. His team was +22 with him on the floor.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 28 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast on 11-17 shooting, good for a 23.5 Game Score.
Kel'el Ware (11 pts, 15 reb, 0 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Heat about a 78% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Memphis Grizzlies lead 2-1.
The Heat are now 31-27, and the Grizzlies are 21-34. The Heat last five before this game: L-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.