Note: The thoughts expressed in this recap are based on the HEAT radio broadcast since the game was not televised.
The Miami HEAT fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-100 Saturday night at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Hassan Whiteside led the way for the HEAT with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Based on the broadcast, it seemed as though Whiteside continued to impact the game on both ends. In fact, Whiteside helped the HEAT get off to a quick 14-3 start thanks to an eight-point, six-rebound, two-block first quarter on 3-of-4 shooting. Throughout the contest, the 27-year-old mixed it up with push-shots, jumpers and dunks.
After the Timberwolves tied the game at the end of the first period, Dion Waiters and Derrick Williams took it from there. The duo combined for 17 points and five assists in the second quarter, as both relentlessly attacked the basket. In particular, Waiters kept up his playmaking ways, while Williams did damage on the break.
Both newcomers also showed what they could do on the defensive end. Waiters came up with a steal on Brandon Rush and converted a layup with 7:32 left in the second quarter. Williams, meanwhile, showed great hustle on a block from behind against Shabazz Muhammad about 30 seconds later.
In all, Waiters tallied 14 points, a team-high six assists and four rebounds in addition to his aforementioned steal. Williams matched him with 14 points of his own to go along with six boards, three assists and that previously mentioned block on Saturday night.
Miami entered halftime up 62-47 in large part due to Waiters and Williams, but Minnesota stormed back in the third quarter behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
Luckily, Goran Dragic started to get going in the third, scoring ten points and dishing out two assists. The Slovenian finished with 16 points and five assists in 26 minutes of action.
Game Notes:
-After starting the second half against the Wizards on Tuesday, James Johnson earned the start against the Timberwolves. The 29-year-old tallied four points, two rebounds, two assists and a block on the evening.
-Stefan Jankovic (sprained right foot), Josh McRoberts (right foot), Josh Richardson (right MCL sprain) and Beno Udrih (lower back spasm) all sat out.
-The HEAT will be back in action in the Red, White & Pink game Monday night at 7:30 PM. Tickets cost $1.00 and it is mobile-entry only. For tickets, click here.
