Bam Adebayo scores 32 points to help the Heat beat the Wizards, 118-98 in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY — Bam Adebayo scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to a 118-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night in Mexico City.
The Heat shot 53.3% from the field, while the Wizards shot just 39.5% and turned the ball over 18 times.
Jimmy Butler added 25 points and 10 assists for the Heat, who improved to 20-17. Kyle Lowry added 12 points and seven assists, and Max Strus scored 14 points off the bench.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 29 points, and Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points.
Miami led 60-45 at halftime and never looked back. The Heat pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Wizards 36-16.
The game was part of the NBA’s first regular-season games in Mexico City since 2019.
The Heat were playing their first game of a five-game road trip, while the Wizards were looking to bounce back from a 124-118 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
The Wizards played without starters Monte Morris and Deni Avdija. Morris is dealing with a strained left hip, while Avdija is nursing a sprained left ankle.
Miami won its third straight game after dropping two in a row to the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic.
The Heat and Wizards will play again Saturday in Washington.
Here are some key takeaways from the Heat’s victory:
**Adebayo dominates:** Adebayo was simply dominant, controlling the paint and making big plays on both ends of the floor. He had a strong shooting performance, going 13-for-19 from the field, and he was a force on the boards. He also blocked three shots and was a presence in the pick-and-roll, making life difficult for the Wizards.
**Butler shines again:** Butler was once again a reliable scorer for the Heat, scoring 25 points, including several key baskets in the second half. He also got his teammates involved with 10 assists. Butler has been playing at an MVP-caliber level this season and continues to lead the Heat to success.
**Strus provides spark off the bench:** Strus had a solid performance, scoring 14 points off the bench, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. He provided some valuable energy and scoring, and it helped the Heat pull away in the third quarter.
**Wizards’ offense sputters:** The Wizards struggled to shoot the ball consistently. They missed several easy shots and turned the ball over way too many times. Their offense was not fluid or efficient, and that led to the big deficit.
The Wizards will need to play better offensively to have a chance in the rematch on Saturday.
