Heat edge Timberwolves 95-94 on Nikola Jovic’s layup-and-1 with 7.8 seconds left

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Nikola Jovic made a clutch layup and converted a go-ahead free throw with just 7.8 seconds remaining, lifting the Miami Heat to a 95-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. The win snapped Miami’s three-game losing streak.

Jovic, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in his first game off the bench this season, capitalized on a rare opportunity when Rudy Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was subbed out. Jovic drove to the basket and then sank the free throw to put the Heat ahead for the first time since they led 63-61 earlier in the game.

The Timberwolves had a chance to respond, but Mike Conley’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, ending a frantic final possession. Minnesota’s three-game winning streak was snapped. Earlier, Jaden McDaniels had briefly given the Timberwolves the lead with a putback off Conley’s missed shot with nine seconds to go.

Tyler Herro led the Heat with 26 points, playing without the team’s star, Jimmy Butler. For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led the way with 22 points but struggled with his shot, going 8-for-24 from the field. Minnesota’s offense was sluggish early, hitting only 3 of their first 15 attempts from 3-point range. However, they managed to close the gap to 52-51 by halftime during their only significant offensive surge of the night.

Next up, the Heat will travel to Detroit on Tuesday, while the Timberwolves head to Portland for a game on Tuesday, followed by another matchup there on Wednesday.