The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings, 104-98, on Wednesday in the opening scrimmage for both teams in Orlando.
The Heat got off to a strong start and quickly gained control of the game, jumping to a 27-21 lead after the first quarter. Miami would stretch its lead even further in the second, gaining a 12-point advantage heading into the halftime break. The Kings showed signs of a potential comeback in the third, however. Sacramento outscored Miami 27 to 17 in the third period, trimming the deficit to just two points entering the fourth quarter.
The Heat closed things out effectively, though, scoring 31 points in a 10-minute fourth quarter to hang on for the 104-98 victory. A Kyle Guy jumper pulled the Kings within four with just over 24 seconds remaining. But Kelly Olynyk was able to ice the game at the free throw line, where he knocked down a pair with 12 seconds to play.
Duncan Robinson led Miami with 18 points, while shooting 5-of-8 from three-point range. Veteran point guard Goran Dragic added 11 points, and Tyler Herro notched 15 points off the bench. Jimmy Butler filled the stat sheet, ending with nine points, three boards, two assists and one steal in just 12 minutes of action.
Buddy Hield paced the Kings with 19 points off the bench, while Nemanja Bjelica (13 points) and Kent Bazemore (11 points, four rebounds) also posted double-digit scoring performances. In 18 minutes off the bench, DaQuan Jeffries added 12 points of his own to go with a pair of assists.
Both teams will play their next scrimmage Saturday. Miami will face the Jazz, while the Heat will match up against the East-leading Bucks.
