NBA: Short-handed Heat stave off rally to beat Pelicans

Bam Adebayo scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the visiting Miami Heat continued their dominance over the New Orleans Pelicans with a 123-111 victory on Wednesday.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points off the bench, while Kel'el Ware contributed a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Miami has now won four straight games against New Orleans and 11 of the last 12 meetings.

Simone Fontecchio led the Pelicans with 15 points, Kasparas Jakucionis added 11, and Myron Gardner pulled down 10 rebounds. Despite their efforts, New Orleans could not stop the Heat, who claimed their second win in three games overall.

Trailing by 17 with 6:18 left in the fourth quarter, New Orleans went on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 112-105. The Pelicans then scored six straight points to pull within 115-111 with 1:10 remaining. However, Fontecchio’s 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 run that sealed the game for Miami.

The short-handed Heat played without Norman Powell (back tightness), Pelle Larsson (right forearm strain), Andrew Wiggins (toe inflammation), and Tyler Herro (ribs). Miami used its 20th different starting lineup of the season to defeat New Orleans, ending the Pelicans’ two-game winning streak. Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting.

Guard Trey Murphy III added 19 points and six assists before leaving the game late in the third quarter with right shoulder soreness. Saddiq Bey scored 14 points, Jeremiah Fears contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Bryce McGowens and Derik Queen each scored 12 points.

Miami jumped to a 19-6 lead in the first quarter and held a 31-25 advantage at the period’s end. Murphy’s free throws gave New Orleans its first lead at 41-40 with 5:34 remaining in the second quarter, but Miami closed the half on a 16-9 run to lead 58-55. Adebayo scored 15 points in the first half, while Williamson had 14 for the Pelicans.

The Heat dominated the third quarter, outrebounding New Orleans 17-9 and moving ahead 92-76 on Ware’s 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining. Miami led 96-85 at the end of the quarter and extended the lead to 112-95 on Nikola Jovic’s layup with 6:19 left in the game.

With the win, Miami strengthens its hold over New Orleans, maintaining momentum as the season continues.

—Field Level Media/Reuters