Victor Wembanyama posted 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and five blocks to lead the host San Antonio Spurs to a 107-101 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
Bam Adebayo led Miami with a game-high 31 points along with 10 rebounds, and Andrew Wiggins added 24 points.
The Spurs, who have won five NBA titles, are off to a 5-0 start for the first time in franchise history.
San Antonio, which entered the game with the best scoring defense in the NBA (104.5 points per game), won a battle against a Heat team that entered the day with the league’s No. 1 scoring offense (131.5).
The Spurs also got great play from reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who had 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.
San Antonio ended the first period on a 10-2 run, giving the Spurs a 33-31 lead. Miami actually outshot San Antonio 63.2% to 42.3% in the opening quarter, but the Heat turned the ball over seven times.
Miami cut its halftime deficit to 59-58 even though the Spurs again closed the quarter on a 10-2 run.
Adebayo had 17 points and six rebounds at halftime. Wembanyama had 14 points and nine rebounds. In one second-quarter spurt, there were three dunks in short succession — two by Wembanyama and one by Adebayo.
San Antonio started hot in the third quarter, racing to a 69-60 lead, forcing a Miami timeout with 7:50 remaining. By the end of the quarter, the Spurs led 87-72.
However, the Heat started the fourth quarter on a 17-1 run, taking an 89-88 lead with 7:25 left on an Adebayo tip-in. The Spurs called timeout and turned it on after that, finishing strong.
For the game, San Antonio outscored Miami 17-8 at the foul line and 18-9 on fastbreak points. The Spurs also held high-scoring Miami to 43.3% shooting from the floor.
Both teams were without key players.
San Antonio was missing All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox along with Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan and ex-Heat forward Kelly Olynyk.
Miami was without its leading scorer from last season, Tyler Herro; its leading scorer this season, Norman Powell; and rookie first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis.
–Field Level Media
