Mikal Bridges scores career-high 45, Nets beat Heat 116-105

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat center Orlando Robinson (25) and guard Jamaree Bouyea (11) and Nets guard Ben Simmons watcg during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

NEW YORK (AP) — Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 45 points, including 15 in a row for Brooklyn to break open a game that had been close for 3 1/2 quarters, and the Nets beat the Miami Heat 116-105 on Wednesday night in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.

In his third game since coming from Phoenix in the trade for Kevin Durant, Bridges had an electrifying scoring stretch that could even match Durant. The Nets led only 90-89 before he went to work with an array of drives, 3-pointers and jumpers over the next three minutes.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) gestures after making a 3-point basket, while Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) heads to the other end of the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

That pushed the lead to nine and when another Nets player finally scored, it was a 3-pointer by fellow newcomer Cam Johnson that pushed it to 108-96.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges drives against Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson as center Orlando Robinson (25) and Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Bridges scored 17 points in the final quarter to blow by his previous career best of 34 points. He was 17 of 24 from the field, 4 of 6 on 3s and 7 of 7 at the line, and also had eight rebounds and five assists.

Cam Thomas added 19 points and Johnson had 18 for the Nets, who won for the first time since the two former Suns joined them in the lineup.

Bam Adebayo had 24 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for the Heat. Max Strus scored 18 points.

The Heat fell behind New York into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, out of guaranteed playoff position, and will hope missing regulars Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo get healthy during the break.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie gestures to teammates during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Bridges scored on a jumper with 0.2 seconds left to give the Nets an 83-80 lead after three quarters in which neither team led by more than six points.

TIP-INS

Heat: Lowry missed his sixth straight game with left knee soreness. Oladipo has missed seven in a row Miami began a four-game road trip around the break. … The Heat don’t play at home again until March 1.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) makes a layup as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and center Bam Adebayo (13), and Nets center Nic Claxton watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Nets: Seth Curry was scoreless in 10 minutes after missing five games with a left adductor strain. … Brooklyn plays nine of its first 11 games after the All-Star break on the road.

HURTING HERRO

Herro missed his second straight game with a bruised left knee but is still scheduled to fly to Salt Lake City and compete in the 3-point contest at All-Star weekend.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) as Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

“You’re not burning any calories in that and you’re certainly not colliding or jumping or doing anything,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He is making progress. He definitely is not ready to be able to play in an NBA game tonight and then we’ll just see how he feels the next two days with his treatment, whether he’ll be able to do that. I know that he really wants to.”

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Miami Heat guard Jamaree Bouyea (11) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) as Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Nets forward Joe Harris watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

UP NEXT

Heat: At Milwaukee on Feb. 24.

Nets: At Chicago on Feb. 24.

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