Heat Pull Off Surprise Win Against Wizards in Preseason Thriller

The Miami Heat hosted the Washington Wizards at the American Airlines Arena for a preseason showdown. Last season, the Heat swept their regular season series against the Wizards, who would go on to not only win the Southeast Division, but also compete in the playoffs. Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, and Hassan Whiteside would

In the first quarter, Washington’s offense got off to a hot start as Jason Smith, Marcin Gortat, and John Wall knocked down a few baskets, while contending against Miami’s Kelly Olynyk (pronounced Ol-lin-nik), Josh Richardson, and Rodney McGruder. Bradley Beal would also get himself going on the offensive end for the Wizards, making a layup and a runner. With Washington leading 18 to 11, they would increase their lead with Smith making another three-pointer, another layup from Beal, and Mike Scott knocking down two free throws. By the end of the first quarter, Washington led 30 to 19.

In the second quarter, the Heat would respond back with some offense of their own with Richardson making an alley-oop dunk, McGruder making a three-pointer and a tip shot, plus rookie Bam Adebayo (pronounced Ah-de-buy-yo) catching an alley-oop  and a three-point play of his own. There was a break in the action, in which Okaro White (pronounced O-Car-ro) left the game with an injury and would not return back to the game. The Heat cut Washington’s lead from 13 to 3 by the end of the second quarter, with the Wizards leading 53 to 50.

Into the third quarter, Wall and Smith got the Wizards going once more as they swelled their lead with a few layups, and a three-pointer, plus Otto Porter knocking down a three-pointer of his own as Washington led 62 to 53. Throughout the quarter, both teams traded buckets back and forth, but it would be Tyler and James Johnson’s efforts that would that would tie the game at 78, but the Wizards would respond quickly. The Heat continued to fight their way into getting the lead over Washington, but a Scott three-pointer would put the Wizards ahead 87 to 83 by the end of the third quarter.

As the fourth quarter commenced, Washington picked up where they left off as Jodie Meeks, Ian Mahinmi (pronounced E-yawn Ma-heen-mi), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (pronounced Ooh-bre) scored a couple of free throws and layups. With Washington leading 99 to 90, The Heat would intensify their offense as Adebayo delivered vicious dunks, but it would be Justise Winslow, along with Matt Williams Jr., Derrick Walton Jr., and Jordan Mickey, that would elevate them into getting the lead with a plethora of three-pointers. In the closing moments of the game, Tim Frazier would put the Wizards ahead with a tough layup, but it would be a game winning three-pointer from Jordan Mickey that would give Miami the victory with a score of 117 to 115.

This was a very intense game from start to finish. . You would’ve never guessed just from watching that game alone that it was the preseason game, but that’s just how much winning meant for those two teams. It looked as if the Wizards had the game locked for the majority of the contest, but the Heat rallied throughout the third and especially fourth quarter by passing the ball and picking their spots on offense, specifically behind the three-point line, where they struggled, but eventually it all came together, thanks to Derrick Walton Jr., Matt Williams Jr.,  Justise Winslow (surprisingly), and especially Jordan Mickey, who hit the game winner.

As for the Wizards, they showed a glimpse of what they could be as one of the top teams in East, not named Cleveland or Boston. One would have to credit their scoring prowess, especially from Jason Smith, who could definitely earn the starting power forward spot this season, and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s defense and hustle. The Heat and the Wizards will face each other four times this season, which should make for great basketball, not just in the Southeast Division, but also in the Eastern Conference.

For the Wizards, Jason Smith led the way with 20 points, John Wall with 16 points, Bradley Beal scored 15 points, Mike Scott made 13 points, plus Jodie Meeks and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 10 points each, the latter having a double-double with 14 rebounds.

For the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo came up big with 15 points, Tyler Johnson made 14 points, Josh Richardson with 13 points, plus James Johnson and Justise Winslow scored 12 points each.

The Heat’s final preseason game will take place at the Sprint Center in Kansas City against the Philadelphia 76ers. Game starts at 8:30 pm and will be available as a radio broadcast on 790 The Ticket.