For the first of CJ McCollum in Louisiana, the Pelicans are floundering from the first quarter: an ugly 9/25 on shots (1/9 from three-pointers), and only Brandon Ingram floats with 7 points. On the Heat side, bosses Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo respond: the two players score 9 points each and set the pace for their team. After 12 minutes, the locals are only at -3 (27-24), a real feat considering the poor offensive quality of their first quarter.
The rest of the first half is much more pleasing for Willie Green. Although the Heat continue to put pressure on the Pelicans defense following a good entry from Omer Yurtseven, and a very good passage from Kyle Lowry (11 points and 6 100% assists on shots halfway through the quarter ), his players respond. Under the impetus in particular of an authoritarian Jonas Valanciunas in the low post, and a CJ McCollum at ease in attack, the Pelicans stay in contact and even take the “lead” after a huge dunk in counter-attack from Herb Jones (47-44).
The moment Erik Spoelstra chooses to put Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler back on the pitch. The two All-Stars of the Heat (30 points accumulated at halftime) restore order in the game of the Miami squad, which calms the big passage of the Pelicans. The locals are therefore led, but by a very small point at halftime (56-55).
The promises displayed at the end of the first half, however, remain blocked in the locker room. After conceding a 7-0 entry, the Pelicans fall back into their early game failings during the third quarter: they only score 10 points in 9 minutes, and 18 in total during the quarter (9/ 20). Without having to really force, the Heat therefore made their first real break after 36 minutes of play (83-73).
During the final quarter, and despite an excellent passage from the energetic Jose Alvarado, who scored 11 points in 5 minutes and allowed the Pelicans to pick up at -4 (96-92), the Heat were not particularly worried . The fault, from the point of view of New Orleans, of a huge duo Jimmy Butler – Bam Adebayo, who scored 16 points at the end of the match (8 points each) to calm the ardor of Brandon Ingram and his teammates. The gap finally swells very quickly, and Miami wins by 15 points (112-97) at the Smoothie King Center.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– CJ McCollum’s premiere away from Portland. Relatively average (15 points at 6/21, but 7 rebounds and 5 assists) in the defeat of the Pelicans, the back was not sparkling. But what we remember is elsewhere: for the first time since the start of his NBA career, in 2012, CJ McCollum wore a different jersey than that of the Blazers. A new era for him, and a necessary adaptation for the eyes of observers, accustomed for nearly ten years to the red and black of the Oregon franchise.
– The amazing Jose Alvarado. The undrafted point guard becomes match after match the “darling” of his public. Against Miami, he has in any case given a very good reason to be supported and appreciated: in 20 minutes off the bench, he scored 17 points at 7/12 (3/6 behind the arc), including 11 in the only fourth quarter, during the very brief “comeback” of the Pelicans. A veritable ball of energy, the former Georgia Tech player works on instinct and does not hesitate to give everything on the field. A very good find from the Pelicans.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo. Both players carried the Heat on their shoulders throughout the game. They both scored 29 points, with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and several late game clutch shots for the former, and 10 rebounds and 3 steals for the latter. Two XXL performances for these two absolutely elite all-around players.
✅ Kyle Lowry. If his two teammates previously mentioned above were the two lungs of the Heat tonight, the leader was the heart. Less prominent in attack, he nevertheless delivers the most complete match of the three: a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists! Even at 35, the native of Philadelphia remains an exceptional playmaker, in a team that is playing for the title. Amazing.
✅ Jonas Valanciunas. The Lithuanian struggled defensively against the incessant activity of Bam Adebayo, but he provided great support in other areas. In 33 minutes, he compiled 16 points (6/8) and 9 rebounds, and would certainly have done better if he hadn’t been hampered by faults at the end of the first half.
⛔️ Duncan Robinson. Strange match for the Heat shooter, who scored 10 points with… 10 winning shots attempted! He finished, in total, at 4/12 on shots and was replaced by Max Strus at the end of the match. Irregular this season, he struggles to chain consistent performances, especially from the point of view of address.
THE FOLLOWING
New Orleans (22-33): reception of Spurs on Monday
Miami (36-20): return to Florida to face the “new-look” Nets
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