Victor Oladipo scores 26 points, Heat beat Suns 104-96
PHOENIX (AP) – It wasn’t that long ago that Victor Oladipo was an All-Star guard.
On Friday night, the veteran Miami Heat guard showed that he can still be that guy.
Oladipo scored a season-high 26 points off the bench, Bam Adebayo added 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Miami beat the Phoenix Suns 104-96. The Heat finished 3-2 on an eight-day road trip.
“He’s gotten more comfortable, more confident and getting his legs under him,” Spolestra said of Oladipo. “He’s a huge X-factor for us on both ends of the floor.”
Spolestra later added: “We have not forgotten who he was. We enjoy being on this journey with him.”
The Heat and Suns entered the game with the same record, but going in opposite directions. Miami has won nine of its last 13. Phoenix fell to .500 and has lost five straight, eight of nine and 13 of 17.
The Heat led for most of the game and never trailed in the second half, though it stayed pretty close. Oladipo — who shot 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 on 3-pointers — hit a 3 with 1:36 left to put the Heat up 102-92.
Oladipo was a two-time All-Star with the Indiana Pacers in 2018 and 2019 before a series of serious injuries derailed his career. He has played in just 74 games over the past four seasons.
“Vic has been great every night,” Heat guard Max Strus said. “Not only his penetration, but his defense has been phenomenal. It gives us a spark.”
Jimmy Butler added 20 points for the Heat, and Strus had 19. Adebayo shot 10 of 15 from the field.
“There are good things happening,” Spolestra said. “And that’s with a lot of moving parts, guys in and out of the lineup. More than anything, I respect that our guys aren’t making excuses for the moving parts.”
The depleted Suns were without several key players due to injuries, including three-time All-Star Devin Booker (groin strain), Cam Johnson (knee) and Cam Payne (foot). They got more bad news Friday when veteran point guard Chris Paul left in the second quarter with right hip soreness.
Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Torrey Craig added 17 points.
The Heat were also missing some pieces, including guard Tyler Herro, who was out with back spasms. But Oladipo’s offense made up for Herro’s absence and Miami’s defense held Phoenix to just 41.5% shooting from the field, including 26.1% from 3-point range .
Oladipo hit a midcourt shot late in the first quarter to give the Heat a 30-23 lead. Miami maintained its lead for most of the second quarter and led 51-46 at halftime.
Oladipo had another buzzer beater late in the third quarter, making a layup to put the Heat ahead 78-73.
ADVICES
Heat: Herro, Caleb Martin (quad strain) and Duncan Robinson (finger) were among the six players who were out.
Suns: Paul had five points on 2-for-3 shooting in 12 minutes. … Duane Washington Jr. had 13 points and seven assists off the bench, but shot just 5-for-18 from the field.
UNTIL THE NEXT
Heat: Host Brooklyn on Sunday night.
Suns: Host Cleveland on Sunday night.
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