Nikola Jovic converted a go-ahead three-point play with 7.8 seconds remaining and the Miami Heat held on for a 95-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night in Minneapolis.
Tyler Herro scored a game-high 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the floor for Miami, which ended a three-game losing streak. Jovic scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench, and Terry Rozier chipped in 11 points.
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points but made only 8 of 24 shots for Minnesota, which saw its three-game winning streak end. Julius Randle finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Naz Reid contributed 15 points off the bench.
On the decisive play, Jovic sprinted toward the basket and caught an inbounds pass in stride from Duncan Robinson. Jovic finished at the rim and drew a foul against Timberwolves defender Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The play spoiled what could have been a game-winning basket for Jaden McDaniels, who made a putback shot with nine seconds to go to give Minnesota a 94-92 lead.
The Timberwolves led 92-89 before Haywood Highsmith and Rozier combined for three free throws in the final minute to even the score at 92-92.
The Timberwolves led 71-68 at the end of the third quarter.
Donte DiVincenzo knocked down a 3-pointer to put Minnesota on top 71-63 with 2:09 remaining in the third quarter.
The Heat bounced back to close the gap to three at the end of the quarter. Jaime Jaquez Jr. made a 3-pointer with 1:16 left, and he followed with a driving layup at the buzzer.
Miami led 52-51 at the half.
The Heat went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter to grab a 23-15 advantage. Jovic drained a 3-pointer off an assist from Jaquez to finish the run.
The Timberwolves trailed by seven points at the end of the first quarter but outscored the Heat by six in the second quarter to pull back within one. Minnesota finished the half with five straight points on a dunk by McDaniels and a 3-pointer by Randle.
–Field Level Media
