BAM Adebayo scored 14 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, helping the host Miami Heat rally to a 113-112 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night (Tuesday in Manila).
Devin Booker, who led the Suns with 25 points, missed two potentially game-winning shots in the final 6.2 seconds. On the first one, Booker’s mid-range jumper was blocked by Jimmy Butler. Booker retrieved the ball and missed a desperation turnaround 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the game.
Adebayo scored the game’s final points on free throws with 35 seconds left. Butler produced a double-double for the second time in three games, posting 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Suns’ Deandre Ayton had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Duane Washington Jr., working on a two-way contract, scored 21 points to lead the Phoenix bench.
That reserve unit also featured Damion Lee, who scored 14 points.
In other games, it was the Hornets 112. Magic 105; Celtics 126, Thunder 122; Clippers 122, Rockets 106; Warriors 132, Spurs 95; Hawks 121, Bucks 106; and Raptors 115, Pistons 111.
Hornets 112, Magic 105
Mason Plumlee racked up 18 points and 10 rebounds and LaMelo Ball, in just his second game of the season, had 17 points and nine assists, as Charlotte snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating host Orlando.
Terry Rozier (17 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (16), Theo Maledon (14), P.J. Washington (14) and Jalen McDaniels (10) joined the list of seven double-figure scorers for the Hornets, who are still without injured forward Gordon Hayward.
Franz Wagner had 23 points and Wendell Carter Jr. had 20 points to pace Orlando. Orlando closed within 96-87 just under the eight-minute mark of the fourth on Bol Bol’s jumper. But the Hornets fed Plumlee for a couple of shots to help thwart the comeback bid. Ball’s floater stretched the lead to 104-89 with slightly more than three minutes to play.
Celtics 126, Thunder 122
Jayson Tatum had 27 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocks as host Boston came from behind to earn a win over Oklahoma City.
Jaylen Brown added 26 points, and Marcus Smart heated up in the fourth quarter to finish with 22 points, eight assists and five rebounds, helping the Celtics to their seventh straight win.
All five Thunder starters scored in double figures, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37 points. Luguentz Dort had 21 with three 3-pointers, and Aleksej Pokusevski logged a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. — Field Level Media
