National Basketball Association
New Orleans 111, Miami 88
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, March 22, 2024
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
Officials: #48 Scott Foster, #68 Jacyn Goble, #67 Brandon Adair
Attendance: 19727

CJ McCollum scored a game-high 30 points as the New Orleans Pelicans routed the host Miami Heat 111-88 on Friday night.

New Orleans (43-27) improved to 23-14 on the road. Miami (38-32) dropped to 17-16 at home.

The Pelicans won for the eighth time in 10 games, and they did it despite a quiet game from Zion Williamson and the injury absence of Brandon Ingram (left knee). They are the Pelicans' top two scorers.

Williamson was held to four points on 2-for-7 shooting. That snapped his streak of seven straight games scoring at least 20 points. He averaged 27.3 points during that stretch.

It was New Orleans' first win in Miami since December 2017. The Heat had beaten the Pelicans seven straight times overall.

Miami, just 3-6 in its past nine games, was led by Jimmy Butler (17 points). Heat center Bam Adebayo added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Heat's frustration was exemplified in the second quarter when they failed to score on a four-on-two fastbreak. On the other end, McCollum banked in a 3-pointer.

Miami was without Duncan Robinson (back), Tyler Herro (foot), Kevin Love (heel) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) did not play.

Miami led for the entire first quarter until New Orleans closed the period on a 14-2 run, taking a 21-20 lead. The Heat shot just 2-for-15 from beyond the arc in the quarter. The Pelicans made 4-of-7 from deep.

McCollum, after a scoreless first quarter (0-for-3 shooting), caught fire with 12 points in the second period on 5-for-7 shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep.

McCollum's performance helped New Orleans extend its lead to 46-42 at halftime. Miami shot just 32.6 percent in the first half, including 5-of-26 on 3-pointers (19.2 percent).

New Orleans made 8-of-17 on 3-pointers (47.1 percent), but the Heat stayed in the game with a 16-2 edge in points off turnovers.

Early in the third quarter, the Pelicans put together an 11-0 run, and they pushed their lead to 14 points. By the end of the period, New Orleans led 76-66.

The Pelicans were never threatened in the fourth quarter.

For the game, New Orleans shot 51.2 percent, including 18-of-36 on 3-pointers.

Miami shot 36 percent, including 13-of-47 on 3-pointers (27.7 percent).

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
New Orleans   Miami
CJ McCollum 30 Scoring Jimmy Butler 17
CJ McCollum 7 Assists Jimmy Butler 5
Jonas Valanciunas 10 Rebounds Bam Adebayo 10
Herbert Jones 3 Free Throws Made Jimmy Butler 7
Naji Marshall 1 Steals Jimmy Butler 1
Herbert Jones 1 Blocks Bam Adebayo 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Orleans 111 51.2 18-36 9-12 25 56 2 3 13
Miami 88 36.0 13-47 13-15 22 34 4 3 6
Upcoming Games
  • Miami will play their next game at home against Cleveland. The Heat have a W/L % of .553 after a win and .531 after a loss.
  • New Orleans will play their next game on the road against Detroit. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .581 after a win and .667 after a loss.