National Basketball Association

Heat blow big lead, but hold on to beat Kings 112-106

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Luol Deng made a 3-pointer with 45.7 seconds left and the Miami Heat held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 112-106 on Friday night, avoiding a second straight late-game collapse.

Two nights after blowing a big lead and losing in overtime to the Lakers, the Heat nearly let another one get away before Deng's shot from the left corner halted Miami's slide and helped move coach Eric Spoelstra's club one step closer to the playoffs despite being without leading scorer Dwayne Wade.

Wade was injured during Wednesday's loss to the Lakers and watched the game from Miami's bench in street clothes.

Gerald Green started in place of Wade and scored a season-high 30 points. He also picked up a critical technical foul late in the fourth quarter that helped fuel the Kings' comeback after they trailed by as much as 24.

Darren Collison scored 26 points for Sacramento.