The Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 120-107, at Barclays Center on Wednesday evening.

The Heat (6-8) came into the contest reeling and looking to address some uncharacteristic defensive deficiencies that had seen them give up 110 points or more in four of the prior five games. Miami got off to an excellent start in that regard, limiting the Nets (6-9) to 21 points while collecting 37 of their own. The lead remained 61-49 at the half, and the visitors were able to expand it to a full 18 points entering the final 12 minutes. That allowed them to withstand Brooklyn's best quarter, as they tallied 35 points in the fourth. Miami leveraged six double-digit scoring efforts and 54.1 percent shooting to secure victory.

Tyler Johnson paced the Heat off the bench with 24 points and supplemented them with five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Goran Dragic supplied 21 points, four assists and three rebounds. Hassan Whiteside posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two steals and two blocks. Bam Adebayo had 12 points in just 10 minutes, while Rodney McGruder matched his scoring total while posting four rebounds and three assists. Justise Winslow mustered six points but also hauled in 11 rebounds and dished out three assists.

Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 18 points and also managed five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, while Shabazz Napier tallied 13 points, meaning bench players served as Brooklyn's top trio of scorers. D'Angelo Russell shot just 6-for-18 on his way to 12 points. Joe Harris pitched in 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Jared Dudley generated 10 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block.

The Heat remain on the road and next visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, while the Nets visit the Washington Wizards that same evening.