NBA: Jimmy Butler stars as Miami Heat beat Utah Jazz

Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 33 points as Miami Heat beat high-flying Utah Jazz 124-116 on Friday.

Butler was supported by Goran Dragic, who scored 26 points off the bench as Miami earned a fifth straight win.

Donovan Mitchell netted 30 points for Jazz, who have the best record in the NBA this season, having won 22 games since 8 January.

Victory for Heat follows wins over the last two champions; Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Elsewhere, defending champions the Lakers ended their run of four consecutive defeats with a 102-93 win over Portland Trail Blazers.

Talisman LeBron James recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocked shots in a stellar performance.

Dennis Schroder added 22 points for the Lakers after missing the previous four games due to Covid-19 protocols.

Damian Lillard had scored 35 points but could not prevent Portland from losing its season-worst fourth straight game.

Agencies