Bam Adebayo scored 14 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, helping the host Miami Heat rally to a 113-112 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Devin Booker, who led the Suns with 25 points, missed two potentially game-winning shots in the final 6.2 seconds. On the first one, Booker’s mid-range jumper was blocked by Jimmy Butler. Booker retrieved the ball and missed a desperation turnaround 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the game.
Adebayo scored the game’s final points on free throws with 35 seconds left. The Suns’ Cameron Payne then missed a drive, and Deandre Ayton got the offensive rebound, setting up the final sequence with Booker.
Ayton had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Duane Washington Jr., working on a two-way contract, scored 21 points to lead the Phoenix bench. That reserve unit also featured Damion Lee, who scored 14 points.
Butler produced a double-double for the second time in three games, posting 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Max Strus, who scored 31 points in Miami’s previous game, was held scoreless through three quarters, missing all five of his shots. He finished with five points.
Heat reserve Gabe Vincent, who scored 10 points, got double figures for the sixth straight game.
Tyler Herro, Miami’s second-leading scorer, missed his fourth straight game due to a sprained left ankle.
The Suns were without star point guard Chris Paul (sore right heel) as well as Cam Johnson (right knee); and Landry Shamet (concussion protocol).
Miami raced to a 10-2 lead and never trailed in the first quarter. Both teams shot over 54 percent from the floor and at least 70 percent on 3-pointers in a first quarter that, by the end of it, had Miami on top, 35-31.
Phoenix cut its deficit to 58-57 at halftime. Washington had a huge second quarter with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 on 3-pointers.
Ayton had eight points — on 4-for-4 shooting — and five rebounds in a strong third quarter as Phoenix surged on top, 91-84. Phoenix outshot Miami in the third quarter, 55.6 percent to 40.9 percent.
The Suns put together a 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, padding their lead to 102-89 with 8:03 left. But Miami came right back with a 12-0 run, cutting Phoenix’s lead to 102-101 with 4:48 left. Adebayo scored eight points during that run.
–Field Level Media