Miami Heat @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Heat edge Timberwolves 95-94 on Nikola Jovic's layup-and-1 with 7.8 seconds left
MINNEAPOLIS -- — Nikola Jovic made the tying layup and go-ahead foul shot with 7.8 seconds left to send the Miami Heat past the Minnesota Timberwolves 95-94 and stop their three-game losing streak on Sunday night.
Jovic, who had 15 points and seven rebounds in his first game off the bench this season, drove to the rim with four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert subbed out. Jovic went to the line to give the Heat their first lead since 63-61.
Mike Conley's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was short and finished another harried possession by the Timberwolves, whose three-game winning streak ended. Jaden McDaniels gave them the lead with a putback of Conley's miss with nine seconds left.
Tyler Herro had 26 points for the Heat, who played without star Jimmy Butler.
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points on 8-for-24 shooting for the Wolves, who trailed by 12 points after a 3-for-15 start from 3-point range. They closed the gap to 52-51 at the break with their only solid stretch on offense.
Heat: Overcoming 23 turnovers with 14 steals and nine blocks, all season highs, the Heat made Minnesota's offense just as much of a mess as theirs. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) returned from a three-game absence.
Timberwolves: Twenty turnovers and rough shooting was stemmed a bit by a season-best 16 offensive rebounds, six by Gobert.
Naz Reid, who went 4 for 7 from deep, hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter to put the Timberwolves up 64-63 for their first lead since 10-9. That came midway through a 15-0 run.
Herro set a career best with his 39th consecutive game, including the playoffs, with double-digit points. The streak started on Jan. 8.
Miami plays at Detroit on Tuesday. Minnesota plays at Portland on Tuesday and stays there for a second game on Wednesday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Regular Season Series
MIA leads 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mark Lindsay
- Kevin Cutler
- Mousa Dagher
2025-26 Southeast Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 17 | 13 | .567 | - | W1 |
| Miami | 15 | 15 | .500 | 2 | L3 |
| Atlanta | 15 | 16 | .484 | 2.5 | L4 |
| Charlotte | 10 | 20 | .333 | 7 | W1 |
| Washington | 5 | 23 | .179 | 11 | L2 |
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 26 | 4 | .867 | - | L1 |
| Denver | 21 | 8 | .724 | 4.5 | L1 |
| Minnesota | 20 | 10 | .667 | 6 | W3 |
| Portland | 12 | 18 | .400 | 14 | L2 |
| Utah | 10 | 19 | .345 | 15.5 | L4 |

