Hot shooting helps Kings get past Miami

Bogdanovic leads Sac with 23 points, including six 3-pointers

Teams throughout the league have struggled to combat Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s 2-3 zone defense this season, but that’s one thing the Kings have done well.

The Kings utilized spacing, ball movement and a barrage of 3-point bombs to beat the Heat 105-97 on Friday night at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento shot 48.4 percent from the field and made 19 of 44 from 3-point range.

Bogdan Bogdanovic made six 3-pointers and scored 23 points to lead the Kings (20-31), who have won five of their last seven games. Buddy Hield came off the bench to post 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

De’aaron Fox finished with 16 points and eight assists. Nemanja Bjelica added 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Bam Adebayo had 26 points and seven rebounds for the Heat (34-17), who were shorthanded due to injuries and trades. Duncan Robinson had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. Kendrick Nunn scored 16.

The Kings did a nice job of getting open shots in a 118-113 overtime loss to Miami on

Jan. 20, but they shot poorly, making just 13 of 51 from beyond the arc. This time their shots were falling.

The Kings outscored the Heat 11-3 over the first three minutes, but Miami kept the game close despite the absences of several key players. Sacramento shot 68.4 percent while holding the Heat to 45.8 percent in the opening period, but the Kings were clinging to a two-point lead going into the second quarter.

Sacramento opened up a 10-point lead early in the second period. The Kings went up 48-37 on a 3-pointer by Bogdanovic with 4:14 to go, but the Heat ended the half with a 13-4 run to get within two at the halftime break.