Norman Powell delivered a career night as the Miami Heat routed the New Orleans Pelicans 125-106 on Sunday, snapping the Pelicans’ seven-game winning streak and helping the Heat rebound from a tough loss the night before.
Powell was unstoppable, hitting a career-high nine 3-pointers on his way to 34 points. He finished 11 of 15 from the field and 9 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Nikola Jovic added 19 points for Miami, while Kel’el Ware contributed a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Pelle Larsson chipped in 16 points and six assists. After a tight first half, the Heat opened a gap in the third quarter with a 21-2 run, during which Powell drained three of his nine threes. Bam Adebayo capped the run with a 3-pointer, putting Miami ahead 91-71 with just over four minutes left in the period.
For New Orleans, Trey Murphy III returned from a one-game absence due to back spasms and led the team with 27 points, while Jeremiah Fears added 21. However, the Pelicans struggled to keep pace after the first half. Star forward Zion Williamson scored 12 points in the first half but was held scoreless over the final two periods. New Orleans also turned the ball over a season-high 24 times and fell to 2-13 on the road this season.
Miami dominated in transition, outscoring New Orleans 31-11 on fast breaks, and recorded a season-high 19 steals, keeping the Pelicans off balance throughout. The Heat were missing Tyler Herro, who remains sidelined with a right toe contusion, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who sprained his right ankle against Minnesota on Saturday. Herro has not played in 11 straight games while recovering from offseason foot and ankle surgery.
The Heat bounced back from a 10-point loss to Minnesota that ended a four-game winning streak. With this victory, Miami continues to assert itself as one of the Eastern Conference’s most dynamic teams.
The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, while the Heat travel to Minnesota on Tuesday.
