Many say that Norman Powell should’ve been named an All-Star last season due to his performances for the Los Angeles Clippers, which established him as one of the league’s best players. That All-Star snub in San Francisco — along with a summer trade no one saw coming — might actually have been the best thing that happened to him.
Powell arrived in Miami through a three-team deal that sent Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson to Utah and John Collins to Los Angeles. Now, facing his former team at his new home in South Beach, Powell delivered a monster performance with 30 points, leading all scorers and pushing Miami past the Clippers 140–123.
The Heat went on a stunning 30–2 run in the second quarter, with Powell contributing 11 of those points. Not only was it Miami’s fifth time this season reaching the 140-point mark, but they also tied a franchise record with 24 made three-pointers.
Bam Adebayo added 27 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes, while both Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins scored 22 for the Heat.
Powell on his former team postgame
After the game, Powell was asked about the Clippers’ struggles this season, as they dropped to a tough 5–16 record through 21 games.
"Obviously, the injuries and things like that make it harder for them to get into rhythm and figure out their identity, just because every single night they have to switch up the lineups.
"I would’ve never guessed they were gonna be 5–16… That’s something for them to have to deal with and handle. I’m not worried about them anymore,” Powell said in the postgame press conference.
"If he keeps performing like this, Powell could earn his first All-Star nod this season — and it would feel straight out of a movie, considering the celebrations will take place at none other than the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the new home of the Clippers.