The Heat found the recipe that made their success in the “bubble, with more defense, fast play, 29 assists and long distance (16/37), to overcome the Pelicans in the first “Christmas Game” of the evening. Even deprived of Jimmy Butler after the break, the Floridians have always found the solutions to repel the attacks mainly led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
However, it was the Pelicans of the Ball-Ingram-Williamson trio who took the best start, forcing Duncan Robinson and Meyers Leonard to work twice from a distance. New Orleans insists also successfully on three occasions on Steven Adams inside (16-21).
An untenable Dragic-Robinson duo
Goran Dragic wakes up his team by signing his entry with a pass in transition for the dunk of Precious Achiuwa before going there with his lay-up. It was then Duncan Robinson who put the Heat in front by completing the first act at 4/4 3-point (20-26)!
What to launch Miami and its luxury shooter who gives a layer in stride. Again effective in the transition game thanks to its defense, Miami took 12 lengths following two delights of counter-attacks, between the dunk of Bam Adebayo and the lay-up “à la TP” of Goran Dragic after a spin-move supersonic, then the alley-oop between the two players to top it off (40-28).
The Pelicans let go on defense, and the gap continues to swell following two long-range missiles by Andre Iguodala and Avery Bradley (50-32). The Pelicans are deprived of a solution in attack, and even when Lonzo Ball finds the address from afar, Tyler Herro responds in by sticking a 3 + 1 over his head (56-35).
28 points out of 34 for the Ingram-Williamson duo in the third quarter
Zion Williamson seemed to be on his own to keep his family alive, putting together two baskets and four throws, before receiving the support of Brandon Ingram twice from far to come back to -11 and finish at 66-53 at the break.
Even without Jimmy Butler, hit in the ankle, the Heat leaves strong with his Herro-Adebayo axis to put on the show (53-70). While Brandon Ingram is a bit greedy, it is again Zion Williamson who rings the revolt with two baskets in a row to bring the Pels to -13 (74-61).
Brandon Ingram redeems himself with a left hand lay-up, a basket near the circle at the possession buzzer, a 2 + 1 then a 3-point to complete the third quarter, respond to the heat stroke of Goran Dragic and maintain the suspense (88-79).
Goran Dragic’s fatal “coast-to-coast”
The tension is felt in the wrists of Duncan Robinson three times from afar and Avery Bradley while JJ Redick manages to find the sights to try to change the “momentum” (91-86).
The Heat finally came out on three sequences which would then seal the fate of the match: a marvel of a 3-point basket following a well-released ball by Tyler Herro, a far step-back from the same Herro then a coast -to-coast of Goran Dragic finished with a right hand lay-up (101-87).
This time, the gap is final, and despite the last efforts of Zion Williamson, it is Miami who can add a first victory at the foot of the tree (111-98).
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