The Miami Heat continued their road-winning ways on Thursday night, taking on the New Orleans Pelicans in the Smoothie King Arena. Being dominant in third periods across the last several games, that streak and trend also continued on Thursday.
That is a huge part of what carried them to victory against the new-look Pelicans. Spoiling the first go at it for their newest addition, CJ McCollum, the Miami Heat were led by their Big 3 in the box score.
Jimmy Butler would have a huge night. He would go for 29 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 9-16 shooting and 0-1 from range.
He would be joined by Bam Adebayo, a Bam with a new attitude since the Celtics massacre it seems. Adebayo would drop 29 too, to go along with 10 boards, and one helper of his own, though on a few more attempts.
He would go 13-21 from the field in this one. The point guard and the Miami Heat’s QB1 would have himself a great night as well.
The Miami Heat got another good victory on Thursday night. They did so behind the play of their three top guys, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry.
He would mess around and get himself a triple-double on the evening. Kyle Lowry finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Four of the five Heat starters scored in double digits, while Dewayne Dedmon would join the four starters with double-digit point production. He would finish with 11 points and seven rebounds.
As stated, the Miami Heat would stick to a pattern that worked wonders against Charlotte and Washington, dominating the game and the opposing team immediately out of the halftime break. A far cry from what used to be called the Turd Quarter for this team, they proceeded to outgun New Orleans to a tune of 27-18 in this one.
While the Miami Heat weren’t as active as other teams in the league or the East at the NBA Trade Deadline, they proceeded to come out on Deadline Day and remind everyone that they are who they thought they were. They are the best team in the East.
Though the Pelicans aren’t the best team on paper or in the standings, they have grown to be a tough out behind the play of Brandon Ingram, while the excitement of their newest addition in McCollum could have made for a tricky spot.
Have no fear though, the Miami Heat’s new Big 3 was here. That was enough to seal the deal.
Now, a new look Brooklyn team awaits on Saturday night. They should be ready to go, facing the best team in their conference, with a fresh outlook, and coming off a defeat to the Wizards as the Heat handled their business Thursday.
The game is in primetime and should be a matchup worthy of the timeslot, though, for some reason, it won’t be on national television. Either way, it should be exciting and the Heat will be ready to do it all over again.