Despite leading by 22 points on two different occasions, the Miami Heat withstood a late rally by the New Orleans Pelicans that got the game within six points, pulling away in the final minutes for a comfortable win.
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New Orleans trailed by as many as 22 points against a playoff-bound Miami squad Tuesday, rallied to pull within five points of the Heat in the fourth quarter, but ultimately couldn’t dig out of its early hole.
New Orleans scored 13 straight points to cut the deficit to 96-91 with 6:13 left, but the Heat weathered the storm with three consecutive inside baskets, two by reserve center Hassan Whiteside, to regain control, 103-95.
Starter Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 25 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists while Goran Dragic finished with 21 points, eight boards and five assists for the Heat.
But just as they did with Sunday’s upset of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pelicans proved to have more bite than they depleted roster indicated.
Guard Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 24 points, support by a season-high 23 from forward Luke Babbitt. The Spurs have not lost at home since a 128-125 overtime defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 12, 2015. The game was tied at 20 when the Heat closed the first quarter with a 15-1 run. Entering Tuesday night’s game, the Heat were 11-5 since the break…. The Pelicans wound up shooting 31 percent (15 of 49) for the opening half and never had a lead larger than two points – the last coming at 18-16 in the first period.
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The Pelicans will have only 10 players available against the Heat. New Orleans will head to IN next for a Thursday road game.
