NBA: Udonis Haslem goes out in style as Heat dispatch Magic | Inquirer Sports
NBA

NBA: Udonis Haslem goes out in style as Heat dispatch Magic

/ 10:56 AM April 10, 2023

Udonis Haslem Miami Heat NBA

Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem plays in his final regular season game. Photo from Miami Heat Twitter

Long-time veteran Udonis Haslem scored a game-high 24 points in his final regular-season contest as the Miami Heat defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 123-110 on Sunday afternoon in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Both teams entered the game with their playoff fortunes predetermined. Miami will host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday in a play-in game. Orlando missed the playoffs for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons, including the past three straight years.

Article continues after this advertisement

Kevon Harris led Orlando with 22 points.

FEATURED STORIES

However, both teams sat their leading scorers –Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who is the frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year, and Miami’s Jimmy Butler. Banchero, who leads all NBA rookies in scoring, had back tightness. Butler was rested for the second straight game with the play-in round looming.

Banchero, 20, is less than half the age of Haslem, 42, who has announced his retirement. Haslem, a Miami native, played his entire 20-year career with the Heat, and he’s the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder, ranking second in games played.

Article continues after this advertisement

Besides Haslem, only Dirk Nowitzki (21 years with the Mavericks) and the late Kobe Bryant (20 years with the Lakers) played at least two decades with the same franchise. Nowitzki and Bryant were first-round picks and Hall of Famers. Haslem, in contrast, went undrafted.

Article continues after this advertisement

Prior to Sunday, Haslem had played just six games this season, scoring a total of three points on 1-for-12 shooting.

On Sunday, however, he scored 13 points off the bench in the first quarter on 6-for-11 shooting, including 1-for-3 from deep.

Article continues after this advertisement

For the game, he also had his first dunk since 2014, and he made more than one 3-pointer (3-for-7) for the first time in his career.

Orlando led 24-23 after one quarter, but Miami had a 52-50 advantage at halftime. There were eight lead changes and five tie scores in the opening 24 minutes.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

There were eight lead changes and seven tie scores in the third quarter, with Orlando on top 85-84 entering the fourth.

The Heat, however, pulled away in the fourth.

Haslem exited the game with 59 seconds left as the fans — including ex-Heat star Dwyane Wade — gave him a standing ovation.

RELATED STORIES

NBA: Udonis Haslem returning to Heat for 20th season

Heat officially announce Haslem’s return for 19th season

TAGS: Miami Heat, NBA, Udonis Haslem

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.