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.
🇷🇸🔥Nikola Jovic with a GAME-WINNING and 1 for the Heat!
pic.twitter.com/CZXd7ZjZ9U— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) November 11, 2024
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.