The Miami Heat embarked on a 2 game road trip as they made their first stop in the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Pelicans. Heading into this game, the Heat would have to win in order maintain their spot in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference Standings, especially with teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Boston looking to gain some positioning of their own. The Pelicans would also be without their star player Anthony Davis, who was shut down for the rest of the season.
In the first quarter, Amare Stoudemire would get Miami on the board, but New Orleans would respond back with a basket from Luke Babbitt. Both teams went back and forth with much scoring from Dwyane Wade and Justise Winslow for Miami while New Orleans had Omer Asik, Jrue Holiday, and Toney Douglas. The Heat started to break away from the Pelicans as they started a 9 to 2 scoring run, but it would then expand into a 12 to 2 run after a 3 pointer from Goran Dragic and ultimately, a 19 to 2 run after Hassan Whiteside, Joe Johnson, and Winslow added onto Miami’s lead. By the end of the first quarter, Miami led 35 to 21.
In the second quarter, Babbitt would pick up where he left off in the scoring load for the Pelicans, but Winslow and Whiteside would do the same thing for the Heat. Babbitt would continue to score for New Orleans as he also contended against Dragic and Wade. Winslow and Whiteside were a combined 7 for 7 from the floor for the Heat. Miami would go on a short scoring run with some free throws from Johnson and a pair of layups from Dragic and Wade. Miami continued to maintain their lead over the Pelicans with a 59 to 40 lead at halftime.
As the third quarter began, Stoudemire and Dragic would give Miami six quick points, while Holiday would hit a 3 pointer and Babbitt continuing to score for the Pelicans. The Pelicans would go on a 7 to 0 scoring run with more scoring from Holiday and Babbitt. Luke Babbitt kept the Pelicans in the game despite the Heat’s lead. Miami would stop the Pelicans’ scoring run as Dragic would sink another 3 pointer and Johnson would make a layup and two free throws. Wade and Stoudemire would also contribute to Miami’s scoring run as well as Whiteside remaining perfect from the floor. Whiteside was now 5 for 5 in scoring and even guarding against the likes of Alexis Ajinca and Kendrick Perkins. Tim Frazier would make a pair of free throws and a basket to keep the Pelicans in the game as well as a 3 pointer from Douglas plus a basket and an extra point from Ajinca. Despite the scoring burst from the Pelicans, the Heat would still hold on to the lead in a 86 to 73 contest.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Perkins would make a layup for the Pelicans, but the Heat would respond back with a basket from Dragic. Josh Richardson would make some baskets for the Heat, followed by a three pointer from Dragic. New Orleans would make a pair of triples from Frazier and Holiday to still keep the Pelicans in the game. Hassan Whiteside would make a basket and an extra point for the Heat to maintain their lead, which was now by 6. Whiteside would continue scoring for Miami and continued to be a difference maker with his rebounding and blocking. By the end of the game, the Heat would win the game, 113 to 99.
The Heat have scored 113.4 points per game throughout the month of March. They were unrelenting with the lead and staved off the Pelicans, despite the efforts of Jrue Holiday, Luke Babbitt, and Tim Frazier. Hassan Whiteside and Amare Stoudemire dominated the paint with their scoring and rebounds. Miami now has its 10th straight 100-point effort, their longest such run since 1994.
Whiteside would also go on 10 for 11 shooting from the floor.
“I got hot,” the 7-foot Whiteside said. “I felt like they were kind of relaxed and I was getting a couple wide-open jumpers and I was trying to take advantage of them.”
The 34-year-old Wade looked rejuvenated as he took command early, scoring 15 in the first half.
“What’s great about the last couple games is the ball’s been finding energy and Dwyane has been the energy,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s been creating his opportunities off of his energy.”
For the Heat, Amare Stoudemire has 16 points and 9 rebounds, Dwyane Wade lead the way with 25 points, Goran Dragic scored 21 points, and Hassan Whiteside with a double double of 24 points and 14 rebounds. For the Pelicans, Luke Babbitt had 23 points, Jrue Holiday with 24 points, Toney Douglas scored 14 points, and Tim Frazier made 11 points.
The Heat have a big test ahead of them as they face the San Antonio Spurs tonight. The game starts at 8:30.
The Heat Check Magazine 