Back from All-Star break, Miami Heat lose to New Orleans Pelicans
The Miami Heat lose to the New Orleans Pelicans 124-123 in overtime, still struggling to finish games after the All-Star break.
The Miami Heat played their first game since the All-Star break in Louisiana against the New Orleans Pelicans. These two teams were neck and neck the entire game and into overtime, but the Pelicans stole the season series 2-0.
Still in All-Star form, Goran Dragic was the leading scorer for the Heat with 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on 55 percent shooting. Hassan Whiteside also had a strong game for the Heat, totaling 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 45 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and five steals, finishing as the highest scorer in the game. Jrue Holiday flirted with a triple-double: 29 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
Points in the paint and fast breaks
These two teams were nearly identical in rebounds, turnovers and field goal percentage. Attacking the paint and fast break points were a different story.
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The Heat had 70 of their total 123 points in the paint; eight more than the Pelicans. Whiteside was a big part of the Heat’s attack, not missing many shots. He was forced to sit out with about seven minutes left in the regulation however, after picking up his fifth foul.
The Pelicans took charge of the fast break points, finishing with 17 more than the Heat. With how close this game was, it felt as if these two stat lines just canceled each other out, especially with the Pelicans turning over the ball a few more times.
The Heat were down five with less than two minutes to play in regulation, but free throws from Whiteside, Dragic, and Dwyane Wade helped to force overtime.
Overtime performances
Even into overtime, this game was close.
Whiteside fouled out of the game after contact on Davis with 1:43 left. Davis hit both free throws to tie the game at 117-117.
Dragic and James Johnson were the stars of overtime for the Heat, but it was not enough to get the win. Wade, shooting one of eight in the second half, hit a runner in the paint with 35.5 seconds left, giving the Heat an 121-119 lead.
But those last 30 seconds sealed the deal for the Pelicans.
This is the Heat’s third straight loss and sixth game this season losing by two points or less.
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Sitting just above .500 at 30-29, with their next seven of eight games at home, maybe they will be able to find some momentum.