PHOENIX — Rookie Shabazz Napier played a seasoned veteran Saturday night and guided the Miami Heat to a 111-108 overtime road victory over the reigning NBA champions San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center.
The 6-foot-1 Napier, who won two NCAA titles at the University of Connecticut, made 6 of 13 field goals to finish with 25 points and 4 assists. The 23-year old point guard only had one turnover in 32 minutes of action off the bench.
Napier got plenty of help as Tyler Johnson scored 17 and Andre Johnson added 16. Mario Chalmers and Danny Granger each had 11 markers for Miami, which made 35 of 77 shots, including 7 of 22 3-point shots. The Heat, though, left a lot of points on the board by missing 13 of 47 free throws.
Miami’s big guns — Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng — did not play.
Marco Bellinelli was the high point man for the Spurs with 18 while Kyle Anderson pitched in 17. Tim Duncan finished with a healthy 11 points and 6 boards and Corey Joseph contributed 14.
The Spurs made only 33 of 80 field goals and they missed a bundle of triples, just 12 of 31.
Tony Parker did not suit up for San Antonio.
Photo: Rookie Shabazz Napier played like a veteran to lead the Heat past the Spurs in OT, 111-108.
