NEW YORK — There was so much working against the Miami Heat in Brooklyn: The Heat’s fifth game in seven nights while missing three starters against a Nets team welcoming back superstar Kevin Durant from injury.
But as usual, the East-leading Heat stubbornly pushed forward to escape with a 113-107 short-handed win over the Nets on Thursday night at Barclays Center.
Overcome the absence of three starters in Jimmy Butler (left big toe irritation), Kyle Lowry (personal reasons) and P.J. Tucker (left knee pain), the Heat trailed by as many as 16 points in the second quarter.