Starting in just his third career game, rookie Isaiah Thomas did everything in his power to keep tonight’s contest in South Beach close.
Thomas scored an incredible 20 points in the third quarter, including knocking down five of his six three-point attempts on his way to a 24-point, five assist night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Sacramento Kings, who lost their sixth game in a row, 120-108 to the Miami Heat.
Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 30 points, but Mario Chalmers kept the Heat going. The former Kansas Jayhawk scored 20 points, including six made three-point attempts. Chris Bosh scored 20 points and grabbed 10 boards, while LeBron James kicked in 18 for the Heat, who now stand at 26-7 following their seventh consecutive win.
Marcus Thornton scored 23 points for the Kings, including a late barrage of three-pointers to end the first half. Tyreke Evans finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and chipped in 10 assists, while Jason Thompson finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Notes and Analysis
- J.J. Hickson continued his fall from grace, receiving his first DNP-CD of the season. The fourth-year forward is averaging five points and five rebounds in a tad under 20 minutes a game this year.
- DeMarcus Cousinshad a rough night, scoring just nine points on 3-for-13 shooting. The big man out of Kentucky really forced the action against the defensive-minded Joel Anthony.
- Since Thomas stepped into the starting line-up three games ago, Evans has recorded 21 assists, including nine against Detroit and 10 tonight in Miami.
- Wade and James are known for their high scoring exploits, but tonight, the tandem combined for 18 assists. James was particularly effective on the draw and kick, hitting an open Chalmers for uncontested threes on multiple occasions.
- Donté Greene struggled off the bench tonight for the Kings, hitting just one of his six field goal attempts in 15 minutes of action.
- Rookie Norris Cole provided a nice boost off the bench for the Heat, scoring 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Cole has the look of a very effective sixth man for Miami.
- John Salmons missed tonight’s game with a sore hip. The Kings could have used his wing defense against Wade and LeBron.
- Jimmer Fredette watched from the sidelines tonight, joining Hickson and Travis Outlaw as the only healthy Kings not to get a look.
- Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Honeycutt played the last minute of the game. Whiteside had a block and two rebounds in his short stint.
- Stat of the Night: The Kings hit 13 of their 27 three-point attempts tonight for an impressive 48 percent. Francisco Garcia saw his first extended action in quite some time, finishing with 11 points, including 3-for-6 from downtown.
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