In view of the profusion of cases of Covid-19 within the NBA, teams will soon be unable to field a team. This Sunday, Miami and Orlando presented themselves with many absences between the injuries of some and the Covid protocols of others.
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Already much weaker on paper – second least performing team in the League behind the Detroit Pistons – Orlando had no illusions when he went to the Miami floor, fourth in the East before the meeting and whose star Jimmy Butler was making his comeback in this Covid-related slump.
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Yurtseven in sight for its premiere
Moreover, Butler held his team from the start of the match while Orlando had the best start despite an almost experimental team at kickoff (24-22 at the end of the first quarter).
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Very clumsy throughout this first period (less than 40% shooting), the Heat nevertheless took the lead at the break (42-39), thanks to offensive rebounds (10 in the first period) well converted by Butler (12 points at the break, 17 in all) and the young pivot Omer Yurtseven (23), very prominent for his first start (12 points, 10 rebounds at the break, 16 pts and 15 rebounds in all).
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And despite the good resistance of Gary Harris (20 pts) and the expulsion of Tyler Herro for two technical faults, Orlando lost the thread in the third quarter (60-72), ending the meeting chasing the score in an end of match without suspense (83-63), offering Miami this Florida derby and a seventh success in the last nine matches.
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