Miami Heat Steal a Narrow Victory Against Timberwolves Despite Butler’s Absence

MINNEAPOLIS — The Miami Heat clinched a hard-fought 95-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night at Target Center, grinding out a win in a gritty, defensive battle. The Heat were without six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle sustained in Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Despite his absence, Miami demonstrated resilience and late-game poise to capture the win.
Coach Erik Spoelstra, forced to shuffle the lineup, inserted veteran Kevin Love and defensive-minded Haywood Highsmith into the starting five. This change marked the Heat’s first lineup alteration of the season, a shift reminiscent of last year’s challenge when the team set a franchise record with 35 different lineups. Without their primary scorer and playmaker, the Heat relied on a balanced approach and clutch performances to secure the win.
The Heat got off to a strong start, leveraging defensive hustle and quick transitions to gain an early edge. Miami led 27-20 at the end of the first quarter, frustrating Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards into a 2-for-9 shooting slump and capitalizing on Minnesota’s early shooting woes.
The game remained close, with Miami holding onto a narrow 52-51 lead at halftime. However, the third quarter saw the Timberwolves surge ahead with a 15-0 run, fueled by sharp shooting from beyond the arc and Miami’s offensive struggles. With Butler unavailable, Miami missed a consistent foul-line presence to slow Minnesota’s momentum, ultimately allowing the Timberwolves to take a 71-68 lead into the fourth.
But the Heat refused to back down. Tyler Herro led the team with 26 points, including a crucial three-pointer and several clutch free throws late in the game. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo showcased his all-around game, contributing nine points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, keeping the Heat competitive throughout.
In the final minute, Minnesota led 94-92 after a putback from Jaden McDaniels. However, Miami responded immediately, freeing up Nikola Jovic, who converted a layup and an and-one free throw to give the Heat a one-point lead with 7.8 seconds remaining. Spoelstra’s decision to challenge the foul on Highsmith proved pivotal, allowing Miami to regain possession and reset the defense.
As the seconds dwindled, the Timberwolves had one last opportunity, but Mike Conley’s three-point attempt missed the mark, sealing the Heat’s victory.
Next Up
With this win, the Heat continue their six-game road trip, next facing the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. The team remains hopeful for Butler’s swift recovery, as Coach Spoelstra confirmed he’s on the road trip and undergoing treatment. For now, Miami leans on depth, tenacity, and timely execution—a testament to the “next man up” mentality that has defined this resilient squad.
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