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Miami Heat · Long admired for their ability to unearth hidden gems that later elevate their status on a higher-stakes, postseason stage, the Miami Heat — with their six-time All-Star sidelined — decided to utilize the Christmas Day stage to expedite that process. As the game’s alpha dog spot went up for grabs with both Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid nursing injuries, Jaime Jaquez Jr., the 2023 No. 18 selection, shapeshifted into the night's No. 1 contender. Trusting his trademark array of nifty footwork maneuvers and veteran-like command, Miami’s rookie star, even without a playcall in the second half, crafted his way into a 31-point, 10-rebound portrait on 11-of-15 shooting, NBA history’s seventh-highest Christmas Day scoring output by a rookie. The victory, furthering Miami’s ability to survive makeshift lineups and injury woes, also introduced heroes in the form of Bam Adebayo (26 points, 15 rebounds), Tyler Herro (22 points), and Duncan Robinson (16 points). Devising a productive plan to keep Tyrese Maxey enveloped, Miami’s head coach moved to a flawless 9-0 in Christmas Day head-to-heads, also allowing the Heat to graduate to an NBA-best 12-2 on the nationally-televised holiday platform. · State of Mint