SAN FRANCISCO – Tyler Herro’s standout performance, featuring 26 points and seven rebounds, propelled the Miami Heat to a 114-102 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Despite missing key players, including star forward Jimmy Butler, the Heat secured their fourth consecutive victory, commencing their five-game West Coast tour on a high note.
The Heat were without several key players: Butler due to a strained left calf, Kyle Lowry with soreness, Caleb Martin nursing a sprained right ankle, and Josh Richardson suffering from back discomfort. However, this did not deter Miami, as Jamal Cain contributed 18 points and six rebounds, while Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 17 points each.
Herro praised the team’s resilience and ‘next-man-up’ mentality, which was crucial in compensating for the absence of their starters. This approach was evident in their strong performance against a Warriors team that had been enjoying a successful run at the Chase Center.
The Warriors, coming off eight straight home wins, faced a challenging game against the determined Heat. Trayce Jackson-Davis of Golden State, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds, acknowledged the Heat’s intensity and hard play.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were limited to 13 points each, with Curry notably held scoreless until late in the second quarter due to Miami’s tight defense. The Warriors struggled with their shooting, hitting just 42% from the field and a mere 24.2% from beyond the arc.
Despite leading the NBA in rebounds per game, the Warriors were narrowly outrebounded by the Heat, who held a 44-43 edge. This aspect of physicality and effort is something Heat coach Erik Spoelstra hopes to maintain throughout their road trip, emphasizing the importance of setting a strong tone from the outset.
Looking Ahead
The Miami Heat look to continue their winning streak as they face the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will aim to bounce back when they host the Dallas Mavericks on the same day, seeking to improve their standing after dropping back under .500 overall.
