The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 121-114, at FTX Arena on Friday evening.

The Heat jumped out to a strong start with a, 28-19, lead after one quarter, and they kept the pressure on in the second to push it to a 12-point game, by halftime. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Heat maintained control through the quarter and increased their lead to 16 points, heading into the final frame. The visitors mounted a strong push in the fourth and cut it down to a four-point game, with 33 seconds left, but the Heat kept calm and closed out their third straight win.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 points, six rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block, in 37 minutes. Bam Adebayo totaled 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Gabe Vincent finished with 23 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Heat shot 47 percent from the field, including 15-of-34 from long range.

Meanwhile, Luke Kennard led the Clippers with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 31 minutes off the bench. Eric Bledsoe followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals, while Amir Coffey added 15 points and three rebounds. The Clippers shot 45 percent from the field, including 9-of-35 from deep.

The Clippers (25-26) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Sunday. The Heat (32-17) play host to the Raptors on Saturday.