For about 24 minutes, the Miami Heat played some of its most complete basketball of the season. For the next 24 minutes, the Heat reverted to all its worst habits.
A terrible third quarter was almost enough to derail Miami on Friday, but the strong start gave the Heat enough of a cushion to survive for a 106-101 win against the New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena. The victory snapped a six-game home losing streak for Miami and gave the Heat just its third win in its last 11 games.
The Heat (8-13) had to change plenty to get back on track and start strong in Miami. The Heat shot 48.9 percent from the floor in the first half. It got a solid performance from center Hassan Whiteside, who finished with 12 points and eight, and went toe to toe with Anthony Davis for a half. Dwyane Wade and combo guard Josh Richardson took turns shouldering the scoring burden. Miami even ditched the Vice Nights jerseys at the last minute in favor of the standard red and black look after losing its first six games in the alternates.
Three days after scoring 38 points in the first quarter of a loss to the Atlanta Hawks for its highest scoring quarter of the season, the Heat nearly matched the number Friday. Miami closed the first quarter on an 18-2 run to take a 37-17 lead into the second. The margin quickly climbed to 52-21, giving the Heat its largest lead of the season at 31 points.
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Heat guard Tyler Johnson is expected to return after missing six consecutive games with a strained hamstring.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat’s Rudney McGruder goes to the basket in the first quarter Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat forward Justise Winslow drives against Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore in the second quarter Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat center Bam Adebayo dunks against the Pelicans in the second quarterFriday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Even at 36 guard Dwyane Wade leads the Heat in fourth-quarter usage rate.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
El centro del Heat Hassan Whiteside tira al aro ante los Pelicans el 30 de noviembre en el American Airlines Arena en Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts as he wears a jacket to pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Craig Sager, who passed away from leukemia in December 2016, during the first quarter of the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat guard Dwyane Wade gets ready to shoot in the first quarter of the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra wears a jacket to pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Craig Sager, who passed away from leukemia in December 2016, during the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Heat coaches wear different kind of jackets to pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Craig Sager, who passed away from leukemia in December 2016, during the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat guard Josh Richardson shoots over Pelicans’ forward Cheick Diallo in the second quarter.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Dwyane Wade, del Heat (izq.), tira sobre el delantero de los Pelicans Solomon Hill, este viernes en el American Airlines Arena.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat guard Josh Richardson goes to the basket against Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic in the fourth quarter Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat forward James Johnson shoots to the basket against Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic in the first quarter Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Heat center Hassan Whiteside scores against Pelicans’ forward Nikola Mirotic in the first quarter of the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts as he wears a jacket to pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Craig Sager, who passed away from leukemia in December 2016, during the first quarter of the Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Friday, Nov.30, 2018.Pedro Portalpportal@miamiherald.com
