Bam Adebayo Scores 25 as Heat Edge Clippers 120-119
Bam Adebayo led the Miami Heat with 25 points and 10 rebounds, helping his team secure a narrow 120-119 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Norman Powell added 21 points in his return to Southern California.
Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points while Kel’el Ware contributed 16, as Miami snapped a two-game losing streak and earned their second road win in five games. The Heat are now 1-2 to open their four-game road trip.
For Los Angeles, James Harden scored 29 points and Kawhi Leonard added 27. The loss marked the Clippers’ first home defeat in four games this season. Ivica Zubac recorded 9 points and 18 rebounds, while Derrick Jones Jr., Bradley Beal, and John Collins each chipped in 12 points.
Key Statistics
- Miami shot 54.2% from the field.
- The Heat made 12 of 25 three-pointers (48%).
- The Clippers converted 17 of 41 attempts from beyond the arc (41%).
- Los Angeles committed 21 turnovers that led to 37 Miami points.
Game Summary
Miami led 120-116 after Adebayo sank two free throws with 56 seconds left. He later missed a close-range attempt with 26 seconds remaining, allowing Harden to hit a three-pointer seconds later, cutting the deficit to one. In the final possession, the Clippers had a chance to take the win, but Leonard missed a 26-foot step-back three-pointer at the buzzer.
“We just stayed composed down the stretch,” Adebayo said after the game. “It was about sticking together and finishing strong.”
Next Games
- Heat: at Denver on Wednesday night
- Clippers: host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night
Author’s summary: Bam Adebayo’s double-double and key late free throws lifted Miami past the Clippers, who missed a last-second chance to win at home.