Nearly 24 hours after the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat earned their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 in Game 5 of their series on Tuesday in Florida.
What is all the more impressive is that the winners were deprived of the services of Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry, both injured. It was therefore Victor Oladipo who took over, with 23 points. Bam Adebayo backed him up more than adequately, with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Heat also silenced Trae Young, in this game without a future for the Georgia team. The 23-year-old converted just two of his 12 shots, missing all five from downtown, in addition to making seven of his nine free throws, for a meager 11 points.
It was De’Andre Hunter who tried everything to extend his campaign by at least one game, he who scored 35 points, in addition to adding 11 rebounds, but in vain.
Grizzlies win at the last second
In Memphis, the Grizzlies took advantage of a late-game surge to come back and win 111-109 at the expense of the Minnesota Timberwolves, thanks to a last-second shot.
The visitors had however taken the lead at the end of the first quarter and had not escaped this lead until the last moments. Ja Morant finally broke a 109-109 tie when his shot entered the ring with one second on the clock.
Morant also led his team, with 30 points, while his teammate Desmond Bane added 25. Karl-Anthony Towns provided the opposing reply, with 28 points.
This means that the Timberwolves will have their backs against the wall on Friday in front of their fans, since the Grizzlies will begin Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.