The Miami Heat continued their solid form on Wednesday night, riding a stellar performance from Tyler Herro to a 119-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Herro poured in 32 points, while Bam Adebayo delivered an all-around gem with 23 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Duncan Robinson added 17 points off the bench as Miami improved its home record to 12-9 in games where Jimmy Butler plays this season.
The Pelicans, led by Trey Murphy III’s season-high 34 points, extended their struggles, losing for the 29th time in their last 32 games and falling to 1-20 in their last 21 contests. CJ McCollum contributed 22 points for New Orleans, but their woes on the road continued, as they dropped their 15th straight road game—a dubious milestone reached only 100 times in NBA history.
Despite missing his first four three-point attempts, Tyler Herro turned his shooting night around in dramatic fashion. Late in the first half, Herro’s errant alley-oop pass intended for Jimmy Butler ended up banking into the net for a three-pointer. That fluke sparked a hot streak, with Herro hitting five consecutive three-point attempts to help secure Miami’s lead.
Bam Adebayo was a force on both ends of the floor, contributing heavily to Miami’s offense with his playmaking and rebounding. His 10 assists highlighted his growing ability to create for teammates, further showcasing his value as a complete player.
Trey Murphy III was the lone bright spot for the Pelicans. His 34 points tied for the third-most by a New Orleans player this season, building on his consistent scoring surge in recent weeks.
Jimmy Butler returned after a five-game absence due to illness, finishing with nine points, four rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes. While Butler’s production was modest, his presence seemed to energize the team as Miami controlled the game from start to finish.
The losing streak for New Orleans has reached historic proportions. Despite Murphy and McCollum’s combined 56 points, the Pelicans’ inability to capitalize on key moments and defensive lapses kept them from mounting a serious challenge.
Herro’s banked-in three-pointer late in the first half turned the momentum firmly in Miami’s favor. That unexpected basket became the catalyst for his three-point barrage and set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Pelicans have now lost 15 straight road games, tying them with 99 other teams in NBA history for this unenviable record.
The Heat look to continue their winning ways as they host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Pelicans aim to break their slump when they host the Washington Wizards on Friday.
Miami’s victory keeps them competitive in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans face mounting questions about their future as the season progresses.
