It was one for the record books in a game that meant absolutely nothing to the Miami Heat.
They beat the Pelicans by 49 Friday night, the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history. Not to mention scoring 153 points, a franchise record for the most points in a game in the franchise’s history.
It was one of the biggest blowouts in Heat history.
Instead of sitting out players for better draft position, knowing they would most likely be the 10-seed, they had a morale-boosting win after its disappointing loss in Chicago two days prior.
For a team that’s struggled to score for most of the season, it’s shocking to see Miami put up such a strong offensive showing despite playing a depleted Pelicans team. Everyone was clicking today, and Miami made history in doing so.
Miami had 10 players score double digits, yet another franchise record. That’s the most number of players on a team in one game who have scored double digits since the 1994 Suns.
The only player who wasn’t in sync offensively was Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins is only playing in his second game after returning from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss six straight games. Still, the Heat didn’t need him to be great on Friday.
But as electric as this performance was, it didn’t change Miami’s fate. After wins by the Hawks and Bulls earlier this week, Miami’s path in the play-in tournament was set. On Wednesday, April 16, they will play in the 9-10 matchup, most likely against the Bulls in an elimination game at the United Center.
Will the Heat rest their starters in the season finale on Sunday? That's the smart play. Their fate is locked in and they'll need to be rested for next week's play-in.
Because that’s what it comes down to now—one game, win or go home. And while this blowout won’t rewrite the season, it just might remind the Heat of who they can be when everything clicks. The real test, though, comes Wednesday.