Norman Powell scored a game-high 34 points, leading the host Miami Heat to a 125-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
Miami’s Nikola Jovic added 19 points off the bench, and Kel’el Ware had a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Powell made 11 of 15 shots from the floor, 9 of 12 on 3-pointers and 3 of 4 on free throws. The nine 3-pointers were a career high.
Miami pulled away with a 21-2 third-quarter run, winning for the fifth time in its past six games.
The Pelicans, who have lost seven straight games, were led by Trey Murphy with 27 points. Rookie Jeremiah Fears added 21 points, but Pelicans star Zion Williamson was held to 12 points, 11 under his average.
New Orleans, 2-13 on the road this season, played without three injured players: Dejounte Murray (Achilles); Herbert Jones (ankle); and Saddiq Bey (hip). But Derik Queen (quad) and Murphy (back) returned from injuries. Queen scored 13 points.
Miami played without Jaime Jaquez Jr., who has a sprained right ankle. He is a frontrunner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Heat All-Star guard Tyler Herro, who had missed 10 straight games due to a toe injury, suited up but did not play.
However, Heat wing Pelle Larsson returned from an ankle injury, scoring 16 points and dishing six assists. The Heat improved to 18-10 this season when playing Larsson.
Both teams started fast. Miami’s first nine shots were 3-pointers, with the Heat making seven. But New Orleans made eight of its first nine shots, including a trio of 3-pointers.
By the end of the first quarter, Miami led 43-39 as Powell had 15 points on 4-for-4 3-point shooting. Miami shot 60.9% overall and 69.2% on 3-pointers. New Orleans, which got 13 points from Murphy, shot 68.2% overall and 45.5% from deep.
Miami extended its lead to 70-62 at halftime, and the Heat led 93-77 after three quarters.
The Heat, never seriously challenged in the fourth, finished the game with a 19-8 steals advantage. Miami also forced 26 turnovers overall.
