MEMPHIS, Tenn. _ With no Dwyane Wade or Goran Dragic, the Heat got a collective effort to top the upstart Memphis Grizzlies, 100-97, in one of team's more impressive performances in a young season on Friday night at FedEx Forum.
It was Josh Richardson and Kelly Olynyk, who finished with 18 points each. It was Tyler Johnson with 17, Derrick Jones Jr. with nine of his 13 in the fourth quarter and James Johnson with 12.
The Heat went on an 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter and never surrendered it, making defensive stand after defensive stand. A meaningless Marc Gasol 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left provided the final margin.
After a 111-84 loss against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, one Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the team's "worst game of the year," Miami (12-16) rebounded against the Grizzlies (16-12).
Miami is now 3-2 on the season-long six-game Western Conference road trip, which comes to an end on Sunday in New Orleans against the Pelicans.
In his 16th and final season, Wade missed his last game in Memphis with back soreness. Dragic was sidelined for the 11th time in the Heat's last 13 games, again with that troublesome right knee.
Memphis got points at or near the buzzer in the second and third quarters. Miami led 51-49 at half as Grizzlies guard Garrett Temple banked in a deep 3 at the first-half buzzer.
Heat director of basketball development and analytics Shane Battier, who played for both franchises, received roaring ovations when shown on the Jumbotron. He was given a microphone during a timeout and had a message of appreciation for the Memphis fans.
Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 22.
