Heat Triumph Over Pelicans 106-95 Despite Butler’s Ejection After Scuffle – Sky Bulletin
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In a game that was both intense and closely contested, the Miami Heat outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans with a 106-95 victory on Friday night. Jimmy Butler was a significant contributor with 23 points and nine rebounds before his ejection due to a fourth-quarter altercation, which added to the heated atmosphere in New Orleans.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo lead his team with 24 points, helping to inch past the Pelicans, who were riding a four-game win streak. The game also marked the Heat’s seventh consecutive win against the Pelicans. Mired in the commotion, Miami backup Thomas Bryant and Pelicans players Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall were also ejected. Tensions were so high that even a few spectators were removed from the venue for throwing objects towards the Heat players.
The skirmish began when Heat’s Kevin Love fouled Zion Williamson to thwart a layup attempt following a steal from Butler. The incident led to Williamson tumbling onto the court. After the game resumed, the Pelicans took a temporary lead which was quickly overturned by a three-pointer from Heat’s Haywood Highsmith. This spurred an 11-0 run by Miami which became decisive for their win.
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro scored 17 and 15 points respectively for Miami. However, Herro sustained what seemed to be a left knee injury towards the game’s end and had to leave the court. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson had 23 points, and despite missing key player Brandon Ingram due to illness, Herb Jones added 19 points with Jonas Valanciunas securing a double-double.
Although the Pelicans outrebounded and outscored the Heat in the paint, it wasn’t sufficient to close the gap created by Miami’s superior shooting performance from both the field and beyond the arc.
Butler had a strong first half, contributing to Miami’s large lead early in the game. However, a strong defensive resurgence by the Pelicans tied the game by halftime, setting up a fiercely contested second half.
UP NEXT
Heat: Travel to Sacramento to face the Kings on Monday night.
Pelicans: Prepare to host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
FAQ about the Heat-Pelicans Game
- Why was Jimmy Butler ejected from the game?
Jimmy Butler was ejected after being involved in a physical altercation in the fourth quarter, which saw other players and a couple of fans also removed from the event.
- How did the Heat manage to win against the Pelicans?
The Heat outperformed the Pelicans in shooting, especially three-pointers, and went on an 11-0 run after the altercation, which played a significant role in sealing their win.
- Did any player get hurt during the game?
Yes, Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro appeared to injure his left knee towards the end of the game and had to be assisted off the court.
- Were fans involved in the fourth-quarter melee?
Yes, some fans were involved to the extent that they threw objects at Heat players and were escorted out by security.
- What impact did the absence of Brandon Ingram have on the Pelicans?
Brandon Ingram, being a high-scoring player for the Pelicans, was missed in a closely contested game where every point mattered. His absence due to illness could have impacted the team’s scoring ability.
Conclusion
The Miami Heat persevered in a turbulent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, proving their grit and strategic shooting capabilities. Despite Jimmy Butler’s ejection and a potential injury scare for Tyler Herro, the Heat managed to clinch a win, continuing their dominance against the Pelicans. The game was a testament to the competitive nature of the NBA and left fans anticipating the outcomes of both teams’ upcoming fixtures.
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