Miami Heat Rout New Orleans Pelicans, Giannis and the Bucks Humble Warriors

The Miami Heat defeated New Orleans Pelicans, while Milwaukee Bucks humiliated Golden State Warriors in the opening two matches of NBA’s Christmas Day schedule. 

Dragic Leads the Heat Following Butler’s Injury

Jimmy Butler had issues with this ankle, which forced him to skip the second half of Miami’s match versus the New Orleans Pelicans. His Heat won 111-98, mostly because they had more options in the attack, unlike the guests from Louisiana. 

Three of the Pelicans’ players had 10+ points, while Miami had twice as many. Already during the second period, the East champions gained a 20-point lead, hitting nine three-pointers, which saw New Orleans demoralized. 

Still, the young visiting crew would erase most of their deficit in the final sequence, getting down to 91-85, but several long-distance baskets would restore Heat’s lead. In the end, the home team had no problems in closing down this event. This was the 8th victory for Erik Spoelstra on Christmas Day, the NBA record. 

“I wasn’t even aware of that,” Spoelstra said. “Just shows you that we’ve had some really good teams here and teams that have had the opportunity to play on Christmas.”

Goran Dragic’s experience was crucial tonight, with Drago delivering 18 points off the bench, nine assists, and a game-high four steals. Duncan Robinson had the team-best 23 points, splashing seven threes in 13 tries. 

Bam Adebayo scored 17 points, Avery Bradley 12, Tyler Herro 11, and Precious Achiuwa, the rookie power forward, the same. 

With the Pelicans, Zion notched a double-double 32 buckets with 14 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram dropped 28 points. Josh Hart came off the bench to add 12, and those three guys were the only notable figures in the guests’ attack once mentioning scoring. 

The Heat are now preparing to meet the Bucks, who defeated the Warriors, while the Pelicans go back home to face the San Antonio Spurs. 

Warriors’ Humiliation in Wisconsin

The hosts outscored Golden State 72-43 in the second half, recording a 138-99 victory over Steph Curry and the boys. It is yet another painful blow for Steve Kerr’s team.

The Dub Nation held on until halftime, trailing 10 points, 66-56, but following the break, Milwaukee blew them away, ruthlessly increasing the difference until some two and a half minutes left. 

“The thing I was most disappointed in is we just had two good days of practice with our execution working on getting in our offense and making hard cuts and reads, and we did not execute much of anything,” Steve Kerr said. 

Even if Warriors’ players did all the asked, the outcome probably wouldn’t be different. The Bucks are a much better team now, while Golden State still searches for its soul. 

Steph Curry scored 19 points with six assists, while the No.2 pick James Wiseman had 18 with 8 rebounds and three blocks. Andrew Wiggins had 12 points, and Brad Wannamaker one fewer. 

Khris Middleton posted a game-high 31 points, with five assists, while Giannis had a double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds. DJ Augustin and Donte DiVincenzonscored 13 each, Jrue Holiday 12.

The Bucks sent a statement to the entire league with this victory, indicating that their ambitions aren’t changed, especially now when Giannis signed a new long-term deal. 

Up next, they travel to New York this Sunday to play against the Knicks, and following that, have two more road games. The Warrriors passed the middle of their four-game road trip, with the next station being in Chicago on Sunday.