:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/QQMOAZXEZVFMJGEYKBUHB75NFQ.jpg "Butler scores 31 points in his return, including two late free throws in Heat’s win over Nets")
NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Butler returned after missing seven games with a sprained toe and scored 31 points, including two free throws with 11.8 seconds left in overtime to help the Miami Heat win 96-95 to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
Tyler Herro had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Bam Adebayo added 11 points and 20 rebounds in Miami’s third straight victory.
Mikal Bridges had 26 points and Cam Thomas added 23 for Brooklyn. The Nets lost for the third straight time and eight of their last nine games.
After recording their fewest points in a first half with 31, the Heat came out determined after the break, led by Herro and Butler. The former had 23 points in the second half and overtime and Butler scored 21 in that span, helping Miami outscore Brooklyn 57-43 in the third and fourth quarters.
Miami put pressure on Brooklyn, limiting it to 30.9% shooting in the second half. Bridges forced overtime with two free throws with 4.4 seconds left and Brooklyn scored the first points of overtime, before the Heat closed the game on an 8-2 run and stopped Bridges in the final seconds.