Timberwolves Fall To Heat 109-97 For 3rd Loss Of Past 4 Games

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wayne Ellington scored 21 points and made six 3-pointers off the bench, Goran Dragic added 20 points and the Miami Heat rode a season-best shooting performance from behind the arc to a 109-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Dragic was 5 of 8 from 3 as Miami hit a season-high 19 3-pointers on a season-high 39 attempts. Dion Waiters added 17 points, including a 3-of-8 mark from deep.

Jimmy Butler had 18 points for Minnesota, which has lost three of its past four games. Andrew Wiggins added 18 points and Karl-Anthony Towns also had 18, all in the second half.

With Hassan Whiteside controlling the paint, Miami has taken the rest of its offense out to the arc this season. The Heat entered the game fifth in the league with 31.6 3-point attempts per game and were tied for seventh in 11.1 made 3s per game.

Miami is averaging its most points from 3-pointers in franchise history, entering play with 33.2 percent of its total coming from beyond the arc.

The Heat opened the game hitting 10 of their first 13 attempts from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3.

Minnesota used a 13-0 run to get back in the game as Miami's shooting went cold, but Ellington provided a charge off the bench by hitting 3 of 3 from 3 in the second quarter.

TIP-INS

Heat: Six players hit 3-pointers. The Heat's previous season high was 15 3s against Denver on Nov. 3. . Ellington's season and career high for 3s in a game is seven on Nov. 19. . Whiteside had 16 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season.

Wolves: Starting PG Jeff Teague was ruled out minutes before the game with a right Achilles injury. Teague is averaging 14.0 points and 7.5 assists this season. Aaron Brooks started for Minnesota, his first start since April 5, 2015, for Chicago. Tyus Jones started the second half at point guard and played a career-high 32 minutes with eight points, six rebounds and six assists. . The Wolves were also without reserve forward Nemanja Bjelica due to a left mid-foot sprain.

UP NEXT

Heat: Continue their four-game road trip at Chicago on Sunday.

Wolves: Host Phoenix on Sunday.

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