Tag: Miami Heat

Miami Heat forward Jamie Jaquez Jr (11) drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

Miami Heat 130 (23-21)

Sacramento Kings 117 (12-32)

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–After the Kings teased their fans with a four-game winning streak, they have dropped two-straight, as the Miami Heat came in won by a final of 130-117 in a game in which you could argue that the main highlight was a pair of skirmishes.

The Kings had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 117-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. They would be up against the Miami Heat, who came off a brutal 135-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco Wednesday night.

The Kings would catch somewhat of a break, as Miami center Kel’el Ware would be out with hamstring tightness that had bothered him throughout the day. However, the Heat would handle themselves just fine without him.

Zach LaVine fired the opening salvo with a jumper to give the Kings a 2-0 lead in the game’s first minute. However, after Davion Mitchell and Norman Powell hit threes for Miami, the Heat assumed control of the game.

A dunk by Bam Adebayo made it 12-6 Miami with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter. From there Miami’s lead remained steady for most of the quarter. A layup by Nique Clifford cut the score to 19-16 with 3:49 left, but the Heat ended the first quarter ahead 32-25.

However, LaVine had hit a three right at the buzzer to end the first quarter, and that gave the Kings a shot in the arm. Sacramento indeed made some noise, and almost came back early in the second quarter. Malik Monk hit a three, and LaVine threw in a layup to cut it to 32-30.

The Kings remained shortly behind over the next several minutes, but by the middle of the quarter, Miami was back in command. DeMar DeRozan was involved in a scuffle, and got hit with a technical foul. DeRozan still had some words for a few players on the Heat as he was escorted back to the Kings’ bench. The Head led 77-64 at the half.

LaVine had scored 10 points in the first quarter, but only scored two points in the second. Russell Westbrook came alive in the second quarter, as did DeRozan, who didn’t score at all in the first quarter, but scored 10 points in the second quarter.

The Kings bursted out of the gate in the third quarter with an 8-2 run in the first three minutes and five seconds. After DeRozan was fouled and hit both shots from the line, the Kings trailed 79-72.

Unfortunately, just as they did in the second, Miami just as quickly regained control of the game. The Heat regained their double-digit lead, and hit triple digits at the end of the quarter, as they led 100-89.

Despite the Kings’ rough season, and despite the fact that they were down by double digits for most of the night, the fans never wavered. The crowd at Golden 1 Center was large, and they got into it with every basket the Kings hit, as they did everything they could to muster a comeback in the fourth quarter.

Miami’s lead remained in double digits, and while there was another scuffle, the fourth quarter was largely uneventful. The Heat won by a final of 130-117.

What really hurt the Kings tonight was the three. Miami was 21-for-42 from beyond the arc, while the Kings were 11-for-30.

Adebayo and Powell led the scoring for Miami with 25 and 22 points respectively. Adebayo and Powell were also money in their occasional shots from beyond the arc. Adebayo went 4-for-5, and Powell went 4-for-6.

DeRozan led the Kings in scoring with 23 points, and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the line. Westbrook scored 22, and Levine and Monk both scored 18.

The good news for the Kings is that they will be right back at it here at Golden 1 Center Wednesday night. The bad news is that it will be against a strong Toronto Raptors’ team, who dominated the Warriors in a 145-127 win in San Francisco Tuesday night.

Tipoff will be at 7 p.m Wednesday.

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) is pumped after scoring agianst the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Jan 18, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 How will the Heat plan to defend Zach LaVine if he plays like he has recently, given his scoring ability and threat from three-point range?

#2 With DeMar DeRozan’s scoring efficiency, what defensive adjustments might Miami make to limit his opportunities in isolation and mid-range areas?

#3 Domantas Sabonis recently returned from injury — how much of an impact can he have on the boards and in the paint against Miami’s big players?

#4 Russell Westbrook brings veteran playmaking — will his ability to push the pace and find teammates be a key factor for Sacramento’s offense tonight?

#5 How might Malik Monk’s perimeter scoring and Maxime Raynaud’s size and versatility influence the Kings’ bench production and matchup dynamics?

Join Tony Renteria for the Sacramento Kings podcast Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (left) takes a shot over the Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Sat Dec 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (6-17) played an impressive game beating the Miami Heat (14-10) 127-111. They started Maxime Raynaud in place of Drew Eubanks and the rookie did not disappoint finishing with a double double.

Russell Westbrook also had a double double but it was Zach LaVine who came unleashed scoring 42 points after only scoring two points against the Rockets last Wednesday. He was tremendous as the team outscored the Heat in the first three quarters of the game to clinch the win.

Game recap: The Kings got down to business from the get-go taking a 34-31 lead after the first 12 minutes of play. They kept the pressure on the second quarter outscoring the Heat 38-24 and taking a 72-55 lead at the half. As expected Raynaud started the game.

It was a terrific first half for Sacramento with their “new look” which certainly appeared to be working for them. They played with great energy and passion from the start of the game and would need to take that energy into the second half of the game where they have struggled this season.

The Kings outscored the Heat in the third quarter 29-23 taking a 101-78 lead into the fourth quarter. Sacramento had led by as much as 28 points in the second half. They finished the game with only 11 turnovers.

They hit 14 three’s, 42% to the Heat’s nine which was 29% and Sacramento also had ten steals. Despite the dominating play they still stumbled a bit. at the line only hitting 15 of 21 for 71%. The final was 127-111 in favor of the Kings playing a complete game.

The hero of the game was LaVine who finished with 42 points. Both Russell Westbrook and Raynaud had double doubles. Westbrook had 12 rebounds and ten assists and Raynaud finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, another terrific game for the rookie. The team high for the Heat was Norman Powell who scored 18 points.

Game notes: Saturday night in Miami, the Kings matched-up with the Heat at Kaseya Center. Both teams are struggling with injuries right now, the Kings were still without Dennis Schroeder and Domantas Sabonis.

The Heat will be without Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell. The Kings had lost their last four games before beating the Heat on Saturday night and the Heat continue to struggled losing now four of their last five games which followed a six-game winning streak.

The Heat came into this game losing a heart-breaker to the Orlando Magic Friday night 106-105. The Kings lost to the Houston Rockets Wednesday night 121-95. The Kings made a change in the starting lineup considering the way this season has gone and it makes total sense with the emergence of bench player rookie Maxime Raynaud and the brilliant play we have seen from this guy.

With so many devastating injuries the Kings have struggled with getting any sort of rhythm going with different players on the floor game to game. It is without doubt that Raynaud has been a standout scoring 25 points Wednesday night against the Rockets. On Saturday against the Heat Raynaud came up with 12 points and the Kings scoring leader was Zack LaVine with 42 points.

Drew Eubanks has filled in as center in place of the injured Domantas Sabonis but he has been ok at best he had four points on Saturday and Raynaud continues to excel at a crazy rate. His time is right around the corner, it is eminent.

Monday the Kings will travel to Indiana for a game with the Pacers. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.