Butler returns to help Heat add to Sixers’ frustrations
MIAMI—Jimmy Butler made a triumphant return from injury and Tyler Herro scored 16 of his 18 points in a pivotal third quarter as the Heat rallied for a 106-89 victory over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
After missing four straight games due to a sprained right ankle, Butler scored a season-high 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Heat trailed by 19 points in the second quarter before coming back to earn just their second home win of the season.
Rookie Jared McCain led Philadelphia with 20 points, and veteran Paul George added 18 points. Sixers center Joel Embiid, who played but had been listed as questionable due to an illness, finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Elsewhere in the East, Damian Lillard made a driving layup with 3.9 seconds remaining and had a hand in the game’s final seven points as Milwaukee rallied for a 101-100 victory over visiting Houston.
Clippers win
After Alperen Sengun (18 points) gave Houston a 100-94 lead by tipping in his miss with 1:58 to play, Lillard sank two free throws before assisting on an AJ Green three-pointer at the 1:17 mark. Lillard (18 points, 10 assists) converted the game-winner after Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a short jumper from Sengun with 19.7 seconds left.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points built around five 3-pointers while adding 10 rebounds and four blocks. Antetokounmpo paired 20 points with 13 rebounds to help Milwaukee snap the Rockets’ five-game winning streak. Fred VanVleet paced Houston with 26 points.
Meanwhile, Norman Powell scored 23 points, Ivica Zubac grabbed 17 rebounds and Los Angeles beat Golden State again in Inglewood, 102-99, for the Clippers’ fifth straight home win after losing each of their first four games at their new arena.
James Harden produced 12 points and 16 assists as the Clippers earned their fifth consecutive victory over the Warriors. Los Angeles has handed Golden State two of its three losses this season.
