Miami Turns Up Heat (63.2%) Against Suns

The Miami Heat turned torrid Monday night.

Miami shot 63.2%, a franchise record and the best effort in the NBA this season, to defeat the Phoenix Suns, 125-97, at Miami.

The Heat’s point total and margin of victory were team season highs.

“Man, we’ve got to bottle this one,” said Heat Coach Pat Riley.

Miami broke the franchise shooting record of 62.4%, set against the New York Knicks in February 1990. The previous best performance in the NBA this season was by Indiana (61.3% at Vancouver on Dec. 4.)

The Heat had another source of motivation: Magic Johnson. He sat near the Miami bench and received a standing ovation when introduced during a second-quarter timeout.

The victory was Miami’s first against Phoenix at home. The Suns had been 9-0 at Miami Arena since the Heat joined the league in 1988.

The Heat earlier said three injured players, forwards Dan Majerle and Kurt Thomas and guard Gary Grant, might be sidelined for another two months.

Golden State 122, Vancouver 97--Latrell Sprewell scored 33 points and Joe Smith had 30 as the Warriors avenged their most embarrassing loss of the season with an impressive victory at San Jose.

The Warriors had lost at home by 14 points to the Grizzlies earlier this month, one of only two Vancouver road victories this season.

Sprewell was 10 for 16 from the field and made all 11 of his foul shots. He also had 11 assists to tie a career high. Smith had 12 rebounds to go with his 30 points.