Jovic ‘staying ready’, lifts the Heat over the Timberwolves

2024-11-11T09:45:41+00:00 2024-11-11T09:45:41+00:00.

Giannis Askounis

11/Nov/24 09:45

Eurohoops.net
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Issac Baldizon / Getty Images / Ideal Image

Despite playing without Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat escape the Target Center with a win

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

Jimmy Butler was ruled out due to a sprained right ankle but the Miami Heat prevailed, 95-94, versus the Minnesota Timberwolves in Target Center.

Deciding the NBA Sundays affair and sending the team coached by Erik Spoelstra to 4-5 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, Serbian Nikola Jovic tied the game with a layup and connected the attached go-ahead free throw with 7.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

“It was easy. Spo had a great play. He told me if I have the chance and if I get it, I have to take it,” he described.

The 21-year-old forward ended up with 15 points and seven rebounds over 23 minutes.

“I guess Spo wanted to change the lineups and stuff. He told me to stay ready. I stayed ready,” he commented on being limited to a reserve role after starting the first eight games of the season.

In the key moment of the exciting matchup, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert was on the bench. “I am pretty good at that end of the floor. So, I live for those moments. I was frustrated for sure. It is a coach decision and we live with that,” he said.

The 32-year-old French center logged seven points and 13 rebounds for the team coached by Chris Finch.

“We were in a position to win. We weren’t able to close it out. Everyone remembers the last play, but I think as a team we remember the last few minutes,” pointed out Gobert.

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