The Golden State Warriors were in desperate need of a victory going into South Beach, as their chances of qualifying for the play-in round were beginning to wane. So much in need that in his preview, our very own Daniel Hardee called it a “must win game.”

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat was ruled out of the game due to sickness, which delivered the Warriors a lucky hand before the game even started. However, Steve Kerr made another move to the starting lineup, moving rookie Brandin Podziemski to the starting spot, possibly in an attempt to show some desperation.

Although it took some time to get rolling, everything turned out wonderfully in the end. The game started slowly and uglyly due to a review and a parade of fouls from both teams. It took some time for either team to find a way to score, but I know what Miami’s excuse was—Draymond Green went on a defensive clinic—while I’m not sure what Golden State’s was. The Warriors offense eventually caught up, and by the halfway point of the quarter, they were ahead 18–10.

However, as the benches entered the game, things became careless, and Miami quickly lost the lead. The Heat handled the ball flawlessly, as they always do; by the end of the first quarter, the Warriors were trailing 26–24, having made five mistakes and forcing none.

In the second quarter, neither team was able to seize complete control as they engaged in a tug-of-war. Once more, the Warriors’ bench performed poorly, with Chris Paul exhibiting some atypical turnover problems. But the Warriors stayed in it because to their defense and crucial shooting. It was anybody’s game as the teams headed to their locker rooms, with Miami holding a slim 55-53 advantage.

The game changed drastically when the Warriors appeared in the third quarter. The half began with a three from Thompson, who all night long supplied crucial buckets. A few minutes later, the Warriors were ahead by seven points. The Warriors seemed to be playing with a sense of urgency for the first time. It was evident from observing Green, Thompson, and Steph Curry that they would not let the squad to lose this game. Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga provided energy to support such mindset. The Warriors matched every run the Heat scored, but the Heat had no intention of giving up.

After a terrific play that included a Kevon Looney layup and a Thompson three-pointer late in the quarter, the Dubs extended their lead to 13 points, and they led by 10 points going into the fourth quarter.

With the Warriors this season, that’s when we all hold our breath, but there won’t be any drama. Miami put up a fierce fight, and the match became physical with plenty of emotion, harsh fouls, and players upset with the referees. However, the Warriors never gave up, and with roughly seven minutes remaining, Curry’s stepback three put the team up by twelve points. It seemed as though the Warriors would win easily.

Indeed, they did. That would prove to be the start of a sequence in which the Warriors would keep the Heat scoreless for over seven minutes, allowing Golden State to completely dominate the game. They won 113-92 after outscoring Miami 60-37 in the second half.

That must be a pleasant feeling.

The starters gave a flawless performance. With 28 points on 11 of 20 shots, Thompson led the squad. Kuminga added 18 points and 7 rebounds, Wiggins had 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Curry added 17 points and 6 assists. In addition to his outstanding defense, Green finished with 9 rebounds and 8 assists.