Donyell Marshall had 21 points and 13 rebounds and Karl Malone added 21 and eight in just three quarters as the Utah Jazz manhandled Miami, 95-56, to set a team record for fewest points allowed.
Miami's total tied the third-worst output in NBA history and was just seven points better than the 49 that Miami held Chicago to on April 10, 1999.
"I have never felt a connection with this team from Day One," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "They haven't connected with one another and they haven't connected on the court. There's not a lot of passion on the court. They only get passionate after the fact."
 Karl Malone drives by Chris Gatling for two of his game-high tying 21 points. Fernando Medina NBAE/Getty Images |
"They just had a real tough time shooting the ball," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I don't think it was our defense by any stretch of the imagination."
The Heat's output was 16 points worse than their previous season low; tied their franchise low set on December 20, 2000 against Charlotte; and broke the team record for fewest points at home, 65, set on December 15, 1988 vs. Boston in their first season.
"This is probably one of the worst games I've ever coached in my life," Riley said. "It isn't about me inspiring them, it's about players inspiring coaches to inspire them. That's what happens."
The Jazz limited the Heat to less than 28 percent (23-of-83) from the field while shooting 47 percent (34-of-73). Utah outrebounded Miami, 59-30.
Miami had gone 3-3 since snapping a 12-game losing streak and beginning the campaign 2-14. But it came out flat and was soon blown out of American Airlines Arena, where it is just 3-10 this season.
The Heat shot just 29 percent (6-of-21) in the first quarter and trailed, 20-12, after 12 minutes. The Jazz ended the period on a 5-0 run and scored the first 12 points of the second quarter to open a 20-point lead.
"Tonight we couldn't buy a shot, make a shot, make a free throw or make a pass," Riley said. "It was one thing after another that lead to that 17-0 run. Once we got down 32-12, it was sayonara."
Jazz rookie Jarron Collins hit two free throws to make it 44-21 with 2:49 left in the half, the Heat's largest deficit of the season.
Utah led 47-23 at the break, limiting Miami to just 22 percent (10-of-45), the Heat's worst first-half percentage in franchise history. Miami's 23 points tied a franchise low for a first half.
Utah extended its lead to 70-41 after three quarters and had its first 30- lead on a 3-pointer by John Crotty to begin the final period.
Crotty was 6-of-6 from the field and had 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench. DeShawn Stevenson added 10 and eight for the Jazz.
"If we could bottle that, we'd all be much happier," Crotty said. "It's exciting to play like that. It felt like we were getting every loose ball. You know something's going on if I'm getting seven rebounds."
Eddie Jones scored 12 points and was the only Miami player in double figures.
"I don't have any answers," Jones said.