NBA roundup: Butler and the Heat break free throw record, 76ers and Pistons score wins

Miami, Florida - The Miami Heat broke the NBA record for most free throws in a game without a miss as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111 at home on Tuesday.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler celebrates with guard Victor Oladipo after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at FTX Arena.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler celebrates with guard Victor Oladipo after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at FTX Arena.  © USA TODAY Sports / Rich Storry

With starters Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Kyle Lowry all out due to various injuries, Jimmy Butler was tasked with leading the offense, and he was aggressive from the jump.

He scored only six of his 17 field goal attempts, but finished with a game-high 35 points after going a perfect 23-of-23 from the free throw line. In doing so, he finished one free throw behind James Harden (24-of-24 in December 2019) for the most in one game without a miss.

Butler was not alone in his marksmanship from the line, with his teammates also combining to shoot 17-of-17, setting the new team record for 40 free throws without a miss.

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The Heat star also added seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks in a spectacular two-way performance, while Victor Oladipo chipped in 19 points (seven-of-16 shooting) with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals off the bench.

For the Thunder, Josh Giddey collected his second triple-double of the season with 18 points (eight-of-18), 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Miami are now 22-20, and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Around the league: Embiid and Harden dominate the Pistons, Mitchell heroics not enough for the Cavaliers

Left: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots past Detroit Pistons center Nerlens Noel. Right: Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson shoots an off balanced shot over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert.
Left: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots past Detroit Pistons center Nerlens Noel. Right: Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson shoots an off balanced shot over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert.  © Collage: USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher & USA TODAY Sports / Chris Nicoll

The stars of the Philadelphia 76ers made light work of the visiting Detroit Pistons, with Joel Embiid and James Harden both enjoying big nights in a 147-116 victory.

Embiid had 36 points (12-of-20 shooting), 11 rebounds, and two blocks in just 24 minutes, while Harden posted a strong triple-double with 16 points (six-of-seven shooting), 15 assists, and 12 rebounds.

The 76ers have won five of their past six outings to improve their record to 25-15, placing them fifth in the East, 3.5 games behind the league-leading Boston Celtics (29-12).

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Donovan Mitchell was a man on a mission in his first road game against the Utah Jazz since being traded in the offseason, but the Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately went down 116-114.

Mitchell scored a game-high 46 points on 14-of-27 shooting with six assists, five rebounds, and three steals, but his team could not stop the duo of Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen.

Clarkson top-scored for Utah with 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while Markkanen continued to build a case for Most Improved Player as he put up 25 points (six-of-18) and 16 rebounds.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports / Rich Storry, USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher & USA TODAY Sports / Chris Nicoll

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