MIAMI (AP) – The worst losing streak of Miami’s season is over. Not only that, but the Heat returned to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, Bam Adebayo added 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Heat beat the Sacramento Kings 123-100 on Monday night to stop a four-game slide.
Tyler Herro had 20 for the Heat, who improved to 36-5 when scoring at least 110 points.
“Felt amazing to get back in the winning column,” Herro said.
The Heat (48-28) are leading the East again, a game ahead of number two Milwaukee and number three Philadelphia (both 46-28, with the Bucks holding the tiebreaker edge there).
“We got back to being who we are,” Butler said.
Davion Mitchell scored 21 points for Sacramento, which got 17 from Harrison Barnes.
Miami’s 23-point victory margin was its largest since a 24-point win at Atlanta on January 12. And Miami looked exactly the way Kings coach Alvin Gentry expected – especially after the Heat had dropped their last four.
“I don’t read a whole lot into that,” Gentry said.
“I think if you look at their team and the way they go out, they will be a huge factor when the playoffs start anyway. I think it’s a wakeup call.”
