Bam Adebayo powered a short-handed Miami squad with 27 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as the Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-111 on Wednesday night in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams.
Playing with just nine available players, Miami was without Tyler Herro (15th straight missed game), Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Andrew Wiggins. Still, the Heat had more than enough offense. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points, Kel’el Ware posted 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Simone Fontecchio scored 15 as Miami improved to 29-27. The Heat, eighth in the Eastern Conference, have now won 11 of their last 12 meetings with New Orleans.
Miami took control in the third quarter. Ware knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining in the period to cap a 23-10 run that stretched the lead to 92-76. The Heat hit four 3s during the surge — one each from Kasparas Jakucionis, Fontecchio, Myron Gardner and Ware. Jakucionis also converted three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt when Trey Murphy III landed under him; Murphy was assessed a flagrant foul.
The Heat extended the margin to 112-95 with just over six minutes left in the fourth. New Orleans closed within 115-111 on Zion Williamson’s putback, but Fontecchio answered with a corner 3-pointer with 54 seconds remaining to seal it.
Adebayo scored 15 of his points in the first half as Miami carried a 58-55 lead into the break.
Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, appearing in his 30th consecutive game — a career high. Trey Murphy III added 19 before exiting late in the third quarter with right shoulder soreness. The Pelicans, who had won two straight, fell to 15-41.
Up next:
The Heat visit Atlanta on Friday, Feb. 20, while the Pelicans host Milwaukee the same night.
