MIAMI (Interstat) — Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points on near-perfect shooting and the Miami Heat used a potent offensive performance to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 136-120 on Saturday night at FTX Arena. Wiggins shot 9 of 10 from the field for the Heat, who led wire-to-wire after a 39-point first quarter. Norman Powell added 25 points. Miami shot 51% overall and capitalized at the free-throw line, making 25 of 33 attempts. GG Jackson scored 28 points and Jaylen Wells added 25 for the Grizzlies, who got 18 points and six assists from Scotty Pippen Jr. Memphis shot just 34% from 3-point range and was outrebounded 17-9 on the offensive glass. The Heat improved to 31-27, while the Grizzlies fell to 21-34.

MIAMI (Interstat) — Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points on near-perfect shooting, Norman Powell added 25 and the Miami Heat used a dominant first half to power past the Memphis Grizzlies 136-120 on Saturday night at FTX Arena. A sellout crowd of 19,700 watched the Heat improve to 31-27 while the Grizzlies fell to 21-34. The game was effectively decided by halftime, as Miami’s explosive offense built a lead that Memphis never seriously threatened. The Heat shot 56% from the field in the first half, scoring 73 points by the break. Wiggins was the catalyst, hitting 9 of 10 shots overall, including 3 of 4 from three-point range, and all seven of his free throws in just 29 minutes. His efficiency set the tone for a Miami attack that finished with an offensive rating of 121.8. Memphis, despite a valiant 28-point, nine-rebound effort from GG Jackson and 25 points from Jaylen Wells, could not match Miami’s firepower or clean up its own mistakes. The Grizzlies committed 17 turnovers, which the Heat converted into 27 points. Miami also dominated the glass with a 17-9 advantage in offensive rebounds, leading to 25 second-chance points. The most important stretch of the game came late in the first quarter and throughout the second, when Miami steadily expanded its lead. After Memphis tied the game at 23-23 on a GG Jackson jumper with 4:52 left in the opening period, the Heat closed the quarter on a 16-10 run. They then opened the second quarter with continued pressure, eventually pushing the advantage to 73-54 by halftime. The Grizzlies never got closer than 14 points in the second half. Miami’s balance was overwhelming. Beyond Wiggins and Powell, Tyler Herro scored 14 points, Bam Adebayo added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, and reserves Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr. each scored 12. Rookie center Kel’el Ware controlled the paint with 11 points and 15 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Memphis guard Scotty Pippen Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 18 points and six assists, but his night ended early after he and Miami’s Myron Gardner were ejected following a double technical foul with 1:55 remaining in the game. Ty Jerome added 17 points for the Grizzlies. Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting efficiencies. While both teams took a nearly identical number of field goal attempts — Miami 96, Memphis 95 — the Heat made four more and were far more effective from the free-throw line, making 25 of 33 compared to Memphis’s 15 of 22. Miami also shared the ball more effectively, recording 25 assists to Memphis’s 13, and won the turnover battle. The victory continued a positive trend for Miami, which has won three of its last four games. For Memphis, the loss snapped a brief two-game winning streak that included a victory over Utah on Friday night. The Grizzlies have now lost 10 of their last 13 games. Miami next travels to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Memphis returns home to host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.

MIAMI (Interstat) — The Miami Heat look to solidify their playoff positioning when they host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night at FTX Arena. Miami (30-27) enters the contest three games above .500 and riding the momentum of a dominant 128-97 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Tyler Herro led the charge with 24 points in just 23 minutes, supported by Bam Adebayo’s 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Grizzlies (21-33), meanwhile, snapped a five-game skid with a 123-114 home win over the Utah Jazz on Friday. Forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper broke out with a team-high 23 points, continuing a stretch of improved play. Over his last three games, Prosper is averaging 20.7 points. This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. Miami routed Memphis 146-114 in October, a game the Heat led by as many as 41 points. The statistical model from National Statistical gives the Heat a 78.7% probability to win, reflecting the stark contrast in recent trajectories. Miami has won seven of its last 10 games, while Memphis has lost eight of its last 11. A key matchup will be on the perimeter, where Herro’s scoring punch for Miami will be challenged by a Memphis backcourt that includes Javon Small, who posted 16 points and five assists in Friday’s win. Containing Prosper’s recent offensive surge will also be a priority for the Heat defense. The game kicks off a challenging back-to-back for the Heat, who travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Memphis continues a difficult stretch on Monday when it hosts the Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST at FTX Arena.