Monday 11 February 2019 06:50, UK
DeMarcus Cousins made two tie-breaking free throws after retrieving Kevin Durant's missed three-pointer with 5.4 seconds remaining as the Golden State Warriors survived a three-point-shooting assault by the Miami Heat to cling on for a 120-118 victory in Oakland.
The game marked the final Oakland appearance by Heat standout Dwyane Wade and has become tradition around the league this season, tribute was paid to the 37-year-old with a video during a timeout.
Wade contributed 10 points, six rebounds and nine assists to a remarkable Heat effort, which saw them trail 107-99 with 5:34 to go before rallying into a 116-115 lead on a Wade steal and hoop with 54.8 seconds remaining.
Josh Richardson made it a three-point lead with a steal and hoop of his own with 51.5 seconds left before Durant capped a 39-point night with a game-tying three-pointer.
After Justise Winslow then missed a three-pointer for Miami, Durant misfired from 26 feet at the Golden State end, but Cousins was able to corral the rebound, after which he was fouled and made the game-winning free throws.
Dion Waiters took a shot at a win with a buzzer-beating three-point attempt for Miami, but it was off the mark, allowing Golden State to win for the 15th time in their last 16 games.
Klay Thompson backed Durant with 29 points and Stephen Curry had 25 for Golden State, who also got 14 assists from Draymond Green.
Richardson recorded season-highs in points with 37 and three-pointers with eight for the Heat, while Waiters also had season-bests in points (24) and 3-pointers (six) for the Heat.
The Heat, who made 18 three-pointers and outscored the Warriors 54-39 from beyond the arc, remain the only team in the league with a winning record on the road and a losing record at home.
Having averaged just 11.5 made three-pointers per game this season, Miami bombed in 11 in the first half alone, enough to lead by as many as 19 points and remain ahead 59-54 at the break.
But the Warriors got their offense in gear. Durant (14 points), Curry (10) and Thompson (six) combined for 30 third-quarter points, pushing Golden State into a 90-82 lead by period's end.
Thompson's 20-footer then kept the Warriors' lead at eight with 6:07 to go before Miami's late rally.
Hassan Whiteside had a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double for Miami, while Winslow finished with 22 points.
