Here's The Miami Heat Going On A 32-4 Run Against The LA Clippers

Midway through the second quarter of Monday’s Miami Heat–LA Clippers showdown, Andrew Wiggins scored on a long two. Had he stepped just a few inches backward, his jump shot would have given the Heat an additional point.

But that wasn’t a problem. Over the next five minutes, the Heat scored again. And again. And again.

Wiggins’ bucket was the start of an epic 32–4 run that had NBA fans buzzing online. Their reaction was twofold: The Heat were clearly cooking, and the Clippers may have sunk to a new low in their dismal season thus far.

So, who were the primary protagonists in this scoring onslaught?

Let’s start with Norman Powell, the Miami newcomer who has not even played two months’ worth of games with the South Beach fellows. Yet there he was, torching the nets with 11 points in that second-quarter run, including some cold-blooded threes early in the shot clock.

For good measure, he had something to say about the team that traded him this past offseason. “I would’ve never guessed they were gonna be 5-16,” Powell said after finishing with 30 points, three rebounds, and three assists. “That’s something for them to have to deal with and handle. I’m not worried about them anymore.”

Then, there were Davion Mitchell and Simone Fontecchio, two athletes who don’t command the spotlight with flashy athleticism or mind-blowing stat lines. Both Mitchell and Fontecchio, however, are perfect fits within Heat culture, which demands intelligent play coupled with a distinct ruggedness. Mitchell contributed six points and four assists in the Heat’s run, while Fontecchio converted one outside shot and two free throws.

And then, there’s Bam Adebayo, who has gone on two trips to the NBA Finals in his nine-year stint with the Heat. In terms of individual accolades, Adebayo is the most decorated member of the Miami roster, and he clearly leads by example. The big man had four points, five rebounds, and one block in that 32–4 run.

Don’t forget Wiggins, the one-time NBA champion who joined Miami in the middle of last season. Between his final months in Golden State and his first several weeks with the Heat, Wiggins dealt with an assortment of injuries as well as personal reasons. But on Monday night, he played with an abundance of enthusiasm, scoring six points to help the Heat pull away.

Miami ended up winning 140–123 over the hapless Clippers. The likes of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard were keeping their team afloat early in the second quarter, but the collective effort of the Heat’s many colorful characters ensured a Miami victory way before the final buzzer sounded.