- The Miami Heat won, 112-91, thanks to Tyler Herro’s 24 points and 10 rebounds
- The Heat will face the top-seeded Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
Kendrick Perkins criticized the Miami Heat fan base for not getting behind his team during Friday’s crucial home game against the Chicago Bulls.
During the ESPN broadcast, the retired NBA center expressed frustration over the number of empty seats at the Kaseya Center in what could have been the Heat’s final game of the season.
At the halftime break, the Heat held a 47-37 lead in a back-and-forth game, prompting Perkins to point out what fans are missing.
“It’s a close game, win or go home,” Perkins said. “I’m a little disappointed in the Miami Heat fan base. There are too many free seats.
Added ESPN commentator Mike Wilbon: “That’s not a big fan base at all.” He hasn’t been. They are pioneers. They are the pioneers.
Kendrick Perkins criticized Miami Heat fans for leaving ‘too many’ empty seats
The Heat won their play-in game against the Chicago Bulls against a spotty crown on Friday.
The game would have been the last of the season for Miami if they had not achieved a 112-91 victory.
Despite being without Jimmy Butler due to a knee injury, the Heat cruised to a 112-91 victory to clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Butler suffered a knee injury when Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr. fell on him during Wednesday’s loss to the 76ers. Butler played and scored 19 points before receiving an MRI on Thursday and being ruled out. Without a specific schedule, the forward will miss ‘several weeks’ with injury to the medial collateral ligament.
Tyler Herro led Miami in Butler’s absence, just one assist shy of a triple-double. In 33 minutes, Herro scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Rookie of the Year candidate Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded 21 points, six rebounds and six dishes, while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points on the night.
The Heat managed to secure the last spot in the East despite being without Jimmy Butler
Butler is ruled out for ‘several weeks’ after suffering a MCL injury against the 76ers
Tyler Herro came within one plate of a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Veteran forward Kevin Love also had 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench to push Miami past the Bulls.
Five Chicago players scored in double figures, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 22-point turnaround in his losing effort. Starters Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu scored 16, 13 and 10, respectively.
Meanwhile, Javonte Green came off the bench and contributed 12 points.
Miami, which advanced from the play-in to the NBA Finals last season, will face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.