The Miami Heat stormed into New Orleans on Friday night and absolutely decimated the tanking Pelicans on their home floor. With an unbelievable final score of 153-104, it was a team performance good for the greatest in franchise history.
Led offensively by Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson— each of Kel’el Ware, Alec Burks, Davion Mitchell, Haywood Highsmith, Andrew Wiggins & Jaime Jaquez Jr. were also all in double figures.
Adebayo submitted an efficient 23 points, 12 rebound and two steals outing on 8 of 12 shooting. He drilled four of his six 3-point attempts, and the Heat outscored the Pelicans by 46 points in his 22 minutes.
Herro displayed his smooth offensive game with 22 points on 70% from the field, as Robinson also added 21 points with six makes from beyond the arc.
It was as convincing of a victory in today’s NBA that someone could imagine. Miami had control from the very start, and never took their foot off the gas— in fact, they went even faster. As the game went on, the Heat only got more dominant on both ends of the floor.
Their team-wide masterclass was enough to make history. And coach Erik Spoelstra is ready for the team move on to the play-in and ride this high level of play.
Although the Heat have had plenty of their fair share of “turd quarters” this season, they came out of halftime and stood on business. They had a 39-18 advantage over the Pelicans in the period.
For the game, Miami shot an elite 56% and 44% from deep. They limited their turnovers to just nine, and had the convincing edge in every single statistical category compared to the Pelicans.
Despite the historic showing, the Heat will shift their attention to their regular season finale back inside the Kaseya Center on Sunday against the Washington Wizards.
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Looking ahead to the 2025 draft pick Miami is getting from Golden State, the Western Conference #1-#5 spots are pretty much locked in. The #6-#8 spots are still up in the air.
#5 Clippers vs #6 Warriors: If Clippers win or lose, they get 5th place since they own the tiebreaker over the Warriors. If Warriors win, they get #6 spot. If the Warriors lose and the T’Wolves win, Minnesota gets #6 spot and Warriors get #7.
If the Warriors make the playoffs, the Heat will likely receive the #21-#22 pick from them. If they don’t make the playoffs, the pick will likely be in the #18-#20 range.
If Miami does not make the playoffs, they would likely receive the 11th (lottery) pick.
If Miami makes the playoffs, their 2025 pick will go to OKC.
Possible candidates with lottery #10-#12 pick
Possible candidates with #18-#22 Golden State pick
A lot of really intriguing prospects. You can add Fland, Clayton, and others as well. Because I love the Heat, I have to go against my usual feelings. I strongly believe, because of opportunities we’ve pointed out, that it would be better if they missed the playoffs and got those 2 picks. I consider myself a big picture, long term person. I’d rather they be competitive and possibly contenders over the next 5 years than win a couple more games now.
“turd quarters”
I think I’ve heard that term somewhere before.
I hope Spo starts the young guys. If he doesn’t and one of the starters (like Herro, Bam or Ware) gets hurt and unable to play on Wednesday, Spo (and Riley) won’t hear the end of it.
Request granted. Thank you Miami Heat starters able to rest. Final game next vs Wizards. Rest the starters already
You guys are absolutely right. Rest them regulars up. Let the GLeaguers have their day. I don’t want anyone to play center, not even Anderson ( I guess they will have to play him a little). The line up should be Dunc, HH, Rozier, JJJ, Dunc, Christopher, Johnson, and Stevens and Larsson, if they can play. Maybe Nico can come in for a few minutes too, try a shot or two with his good hand.
Of all those players, be most stingy with pt for Slo Mo and HH, we need them ready too. Dont want to see Bam, Ware, Ty, Davion, Wiggins or Burks on the court.
Who would have thought Burks would be as important to our team as he has become. I hope we keep him along with the other guys we should rest. Burks should be part of that core.
I agree. 3 years @ $9M for Burks works for me. Will need to decide what to do with Robinson (pay him partially guaranteed amount ($9,888,000) and let him walk, extend him for final year and keep him or extend and trade him)?