Miami Heat fans are being CLAIMED by Kendrick Perkins for leaving “too many” seats empty for a crucial game against the Chicago Bulls…because they’re being labeled “not a big fan base.”
- The Miami Heat won 112-91, behind Tyler Herro’s 24 points and 10 rebounds.
- The Heat will face the top-seeded Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
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Kendrick Perkins blasted Miami Heat fans for not supporting their team in Friday’s crucial game against the Chicago Bulls at home.
On the ESPN broadcast, the retired NBA center expressed frustration with the number of empty seats at the Kaseya Center during what could have been the Heat’s final game of the season.
At the halftime break, the Heat held a 47-37 lead in a back-and-forth game, leading Perkins to point out what the fans were missing.
“It’s a close game, it’s win or go home,” Perkins said. “I’m just a little disappointed in the Miami Heat fan base. There are too many free places.
Added ESPN commentator Mike Wilbon: “It’s not a big fan base at all. This is not the case. They are pioneers. They are pioneers.
Kendrick Perkins slammed Miami Heat fan base for leaving ‘too many’ seats empty
The Heat won their play-in game against the Chicago Bulls in front of an uneven crown on Friday
The game would have been Miami’s last of the season had they not earned a 112-91 victory.
Despite missing Jimmy Butler due to a knee injury, the Heat earned a 112-91 victory to clinch the final seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Butler injured his knee when Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr. fell on him during Wednesday’s loss to the 76ers. Butler played and scored 19 points before having an MRI on Thursday and being ruled out. Without a concrete timetable, the small forward will miss “several weeks” due to the MCL injury.
Tyler Herro led Miami in Butler’s absence, just one assist away from a triple-double. In 33 minutes, Herro recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Rookie of the Year candidate Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded 21 points, six rebounds and six boards while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points for the night.
The Heat managed to secure the final seed in the East despite the absence of Jimmy Butler.
Butler sidelined for ‘several weeks’ after suffering MCL injury against 76ers
Tyler Herro was one dish away from a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Veteran forward Kevin Love also had 16 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench to push Miami past the Bulls.
Five Chicago players scored in double figures, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 22-point mismatch in their losing effort. Starters Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu scored 16, 13 and 10, respectively.
Meanwhile, Javonte Green came off the bench and contributed 12 points.
Miami, which advanced from play-in to the NBA Finals last season, will face the No. 1 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
