Miami Heat (34-29) beat Brooklyn Nets (15-47) 126-110 at home on Thursday, March 5, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Heat had the better start, winning the first 31-26 to lead by 5 after one. The Nets cut into the deficit with a 30-29 second quarter, though the Heat still led by 4 at halftime.
The Heat won the third 35-27 to create some separation, taking a 12-point lead into the fourth. The Heat took the fourth 31-27; the Heat finished the job for a 126-110 regulation win.
What decided it
The Heat took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.8% of possessions compared with 19.6% for the Nets. The Heat made 23.1 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 12.6 for the Nets. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Nets did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 38.9% against 30%. The Heat made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 102 possessions per team, the Heat produced 123.8 points per 100 possessions to 108.1 for the Nets.
Who made the difference
Kel'el Ware was the game's biggest individual force for MIA: 16 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast, 5 stl, 7 blk on 7-9 shooting. His Game Score of 25.8 led everyone. His team was +18 with him on the floor.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 27 pts, 13 reb, 3 ast on 9-24 shooting, good for a 19.1 Game Score.
Kel'el Ware (16 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast) and Michael Porter Jr. (27 pts, 13 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Heat about a 88% chance.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, Miami Heat lead 4-1.
The Heat are now 34-29, and the Nets are 15-47. The Heat last five before this game: W-L-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.