The Miami Heat blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter as they lost to the Sacramento Kings and fall to 9th in the Eastern Conference.

With Heat star Jimmy Butler serving the second game of his seven-game suspension, the Heat’s defense was suffocating through three quarters. The Heat entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point advantage, limiting the Kings to just 68 points on 38 percent shooting from the field and 6-of-23 (26.1 percent) shooting from three-point range.

The Heat (17-16) and Milwaukee Bucks are tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Miami is coming off back-to-back home losses to the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz as the team sets out on a six-game, 11-day road trip.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Predictions, picks and odds as the OKC Thunder faces the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road Wednesday. Plus, injury updates and news.

Prior to Tuesday's matchup in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors got the day off following an ugly blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. While the Warriors had the day off, the Miami Heat came up short in a double overtime loss to the Kings on Monday.

Bam Adebayo had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists with two timely dunks down the stretch, and the Miami Heat snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Golden State Warriors 114-98.