Gafford, Kispert power Wizards past Heat 114-108

Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) reaches for the ball... — Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) reaches for the ball against Washington Wizards guard Kendrick Nunn (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 7, 2023, in Washington. Credit: AP/Nick Wass

By The Associated PressApril 7, 2023

WASHINGTON — Daniel Gafford had 22 points and eight rebounds, and the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat 114-108 on Friday night in a meeting of short-handed teams.

Corey Kispert scored 19 points for Washington, and Jordan Goodwin added 16 points. The Wizards have been without three-time All-Star Bradley Beal for the last nine games because of a sore left knee.

Washington (35-46) stopped a four-game losing streak.

Victor Oladipo scored 30 points and hit seven 3-pointers for Miami, which rested six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and two other starters from Thursday's 129-101 win at Philadelphia.

Cody Zeller added 17 points as the Heat (43-38) prepare for a likely NBA play-in tournament appearance.

Miami entered Friday a game behind sixth-place Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference in pursuit of the last automatic playoff spot. But Miami needed two wins combined with two Brooklyn losses to overtake the Nets, who owned the head-to-head record tiebreaker.

The Wizards broke a 55-all tie and took control in the third quarter with a 29-6 run.

Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) passes the ball past... — Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) passes the ball past Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 7, 2023, in Washington. Credit: AP/Nick Wass

Delon Wright hit a floater off the glass and then converted a three-point play from a driving layup to stretch Washington’s lead to 10. Kispert followed with two 3-pointers before Goodwin’s putback stretched it to a 20-point advantage, and Jay Huff’s free throws made it 84-61.

Miami cut the lead to single digits late, pulling as close as six when Oladipo’s last 3 made it 111-105 with 31.4 seconds left.

TIP-INS

Heat: Were assessed two delay of game warnings in the span of 45 seconds in the fourth quarter. ... In addition to Butler (right hand bruise), C Bam Adebayo (left quad strain), G Tyler Herro (right quad bruise), G Kyle Lowery (sore left knee) and F/C Kevin Love (rib bruise) also rested after playing Thursday. ... C Omer Yurtseven picking up his fourth personal foul by the 5:14 mark of the second quarter before returning with 7:14 left in the fourth.