Bam Adebayo's 19-footer beats the Spurs as time expires in San Antonio.
A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.
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Victor Wembanyama’s absence gave the Heat an opportunity to steal a victory they were only too happy to capitalize on Saturday in San Antonio. They’d need all 48 minutes to do it, including Bam Adebayo’s 19-foot jumper as time expired giving Miami the 105-103 win. It capped a nail-biting finish in which the Heat took the lead three times in the final 2:23, with the Spurs answering twice. But Adebayo made sure they couldn’t do it a third time with his clutch heroics.
GAME SITUATION: Up 11 late in the third quarter, Miami saw its lead collapse as San Antonio pushed ahead by three in the final minutes. The Heat steadied themselves and regained the advantage on consecutive late possessions, only for the Spurs to respond each time. That set up Miami’s final possession with the score tied at 103 and just 3.2 seconds remaining.
BAM CALLS GAME. 🚨🚨
105-103. @MiamiHEAT win.#TissotBuzzerBeater#YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/TAqCSH883X
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2025
DIFFICULTY: There was only so much the Heat could run with so little time remaining. With Tyler Herro in the midst of an off night and well-defended on the inbounds, Adebayo flashed open atop the 3-point line for the ball. Two quick dribbles took him to his spot on the left wing, where he rose up over Keldon Johnson and the late-arriving Chris Paul as time zeroed out. The winner provided a fitting capstone to one of the best all-around performances of Adebayo’s career: 30 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and three blocks.
CELEBRATION: The requisite team mob as Adebayo strutted along the far sideline. San Antonio fans undoubtedly didn’t appreciate the celebration almost directly in their laps. But when your center hits a shot like that, you deserve to enjoy yourselves however and wherever you like.
GRADE: Nothing flashy, not much at stake. 2 1/2 Horrys
