The Miami Heat defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 110-104, at American Airlines Arena on Thursday night.

The Heat (27-25) entered the game with a presumed advantage due to the fact the Lakers (32-20) were missing their two biggest stars, but Los Angeles fought back from a five-point deficit after one to take a two-point advantage into halftime. The second half was similarly competitive, but Miami took the lead for good with 20.5 seconds remaining in the third quarter and then held off several surges by the defending champions to hold on for the win.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Lakers with 28 points, complementing them with four rebounds, one assist and one block. Andre Drummond posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists and two steals. Wesley Matthews provided 14 points, one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block. Markieff Morris compiled 12 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell managed 10 points apiece, with Schroder also handing out 14 assists and Harrell pulling down nine rebounds.

Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 28 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Victor Oladipo registered 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. Tyler Herro furnished 15 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Bam Adebayo delivered 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Duncan Robinson finished with 11 points, three assists, one rebound and one block, while Goran Dragic supplied 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.

The Lakers next head to north to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night, while the Heat takes a cross-country trip to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.