MIAMI Heat relied on the career game of rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. as they prevailed over Philadelphia 76ers, 119-113, in the 2023-2024 NBA Season on Christmas Day (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The Mexican-American forward tallied a career-high of 31 points to go with 10 rebounds, two steals, and an assist as the Heat bucked the absence of star Jimmy Butler to improve to an 18-12 slate.
Bam Adebayo chipped in 26 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry contributed 22, 16, and 12 markers, respectively, for Miami.
Leading by as much as 21 points early in the third quarter, the Heat were surprised by a huge fight back from the shorthanded 76ers as they tied the score at 86-all heading into the final quarter.
Both teams traded advantages in the fourth frame until the Heat created a separation courtesy of Jaquez, Robinson and Lowry for a 117-106 lead with under a minute left.
Tobias Harris tallied 27 points to lead the 76ers; Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 markers; while Mo Bamba, DeAndre Melton, and Tyrese Maxey provided 18, 15, and 12, respectively, as they dropped to 20-9.
Meanwhile, New York Knicks pulled off a massive Christmas Day upset as they defeated the powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks, 129-122, at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Jalen Brunson delivered 38 points to go with six assists, four rebounds and a steal and Julius Randle backed him up with 24 points and nine rebounds as the Knicks improved to a 17-12 record.
R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley contributed 22 and 20 markers, respectively, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart ended with 11 and 10, respectively, for New York.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard finished with 32 points apiece, while Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. had 24, 14, and 12, respectively, for the Bucks (22-8)./PN
BOX SCORE:
MIAMI 119 – Jaquez 31, Adebayo 26, Herro 22, Robinson 16, Lowry 12, Love 8, Cain 3, Martin 1, Hampton 0.
PHILADELPHIA 113 – Harris 27, Oubre 25, Bamba 18, Melton 15, Maxey 12, Beverley 9, Reed 4, Martin 2, House 1, Morris 0, Springer 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 63-49, 86-86, 119-113.
