MIAMI — The Utah Jazz ended their five-game losing streak in impressive fashion, overpowering the Miami Heat 136-100 on Saturday night. Brice Sensabaugh led the way with a personal best of 34 points, while John Collins contributed significantly with 24 points. Notably, Walker Kessler recorded a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Other key contributors for the Jazz included Collin Sexton, who had 17 points, Lauri Markkanen with 15, and Keyonte George, who added 11 points to the scoreboard, ensuring all starters tallied in double figures.
For the Heat, Nikola Jovic was the standout scorer with 17 points, and Duncan Robinson added 16 points. However, the team played without their star forward Jimmy Butler, who received a seven-game suspension from the team due to what was described as conduct detrimental to the squad. This decision came after Butler’s recent comments expressing doubt about his happiness on the court in Miami.
The Jazz took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Heat 40-19, which allowed them to secure a commanding 62-41 lead by halftime. Early in the fourth quarter, George’s three-pointer extended Utah’s lead to a staggering 112-69. This marked one of the most significant home losses in Heat history, ranking as the sixth worst and the worst since they suffered a 144-97 defeat against Milwaukee back in December 2020.
The Heat wrapped up a three-game homestand, experiencing consecutive defeats by significant margins against teams with losing records. Just a couple of nights prior, they were beaten 128-115 by Indiana.
In terms of takeaways, the Jazz not only broke their road losing streak with this win but also achieved their first away victory since their wins at Detroit and Brooklyn on December 18 and 21. On the other hand, Miami’s struggles in the second quarter were particularly pronounced; they only managed to hit 1 out of 12 attempts from beyond the three-point line, finishing the half with a dismal 3 of 22 shooting from three-point range.
A key moment in the game came when both teams were tied after the first quarter. Utah then ignited a 13-2 run to start the second quarter, culminating in a layup from Collins, pushing Utah ahead at 35-24.
One of the decisive factors in the match was the rebounding battle. The Jazz dominated the boards, securing 63 rebounds to the Heat’s 42, and every Jazz starter contributed at least four rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday, while the Heat will embark on a six-game road trip, starting Monday night against the Sacramento Kings.
