Miami (AFP)
The Heat, finalist of the last championship, won its first victory (111-98) of the season against the Pelicans on Friday, thanks in particular to 23 points from Duncan Robinson who equaled the record of 7 successful baskets behind the arc for a match of Christmas.
Two days after a losing start at neighboring Orlando (113-107), where the team ran out of gas at the end of this game played just 72 days after its loss in the play-offs against the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami has this time knew how to go the distance.
She immediately took the lead, with a 13-point lead at the break.
Time for shooter Robinson to water his first six long-distance baskets, then achieving the biggest total for a first period of a Christmas game.
Deprived in the second half of Jimmy Butler, the hero of the last finals, hit in the right ankle, Miami let New Orleans return to five lengths at the start of the fourth quarter.
But two of his strong men, Bam Adebayo (17 pts) and Goran Dragic (18 pts, 9 assists), pushed the accelerator necessary to ensure the success of Florida.
Pelicans side, two days after their convincing victory (113-99) in Toronto, this defeat is the first of the season, despite remarkable performances from Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, authors of 32 and 28 points.
The "Christmas Day" continues with four other enticing posters to follow: Milwaukee-Golden State, Boston-Brooklyn, Lakers-Dallas and Denver-Clippers.
© 2020 AFP