Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 18 points as the Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 at Kaseya Center on Thursday, October 8, to improve to 2-0 in the preseason.
Miami overcame a third-quarter collapse and a late deficit before pulling away in the fourth quarter. The Heat outscored New Orleans 35-22 in the final period after trailing 96-93 entering the quarter.
Antetokounmpo finished with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes. He shot 8-for-13 from the field and helped Miami establish its offensive rhythm early, scoring inside and setting up teammates.
Andrew Wiggins added 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting, while Bam Adebayo recorded nine points, four rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. Davion Mitchell contributed nine points and seven assists, helping the Heat distribute the ball effectively.
Miami had six players score in double figures. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tre Donaldson each scored 11 points, while Myron Gardner also added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Gardner made three three-pointers and played a key role in Miami’s late surge.
The Heat shot 47-for-100 from the field and made 16 of 41 three-point attempts. They recorded 36 assists against 11 turnovers, compared with New Orleans’ 22 assists and 22 turnovers.
Jordan Poole led the Pelicans with 14 points, making three of his four attempts from beyond the arc. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 12 points, while Trey Murphy III, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears and Meleek Thomas each finished with 11 points.
New Orleans made 19 three-pointers on 43 attempts, shooting 44% from deep, and held a 54-47 advantage in rebounds. However, the Pelicans’ 22 turnovers proved costly as Miami repeatedly capitalized on its opportunities.
The game featured several momentum swings. New Orleans scored 36 points in the first quarter and led 64-63 at halftime after Miami had taken a 40-point second-quarter total?
Miami briefly regained control in the second quarter, building its lead through Antetokounmpo’s interior scoring and contributions from Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. The Pelicans responded after the break, then moved ahead 96-93 late in the third quarter.
New Orleans continued to lead in the fourth, going up 109-107 with 6:29 remaining. Gardner’s three-pointer put Miami ahead 110-109, and the Heat maintained the advantage from there. Donaldson hit two late three-pointers, including one that extended the lead to 120-113, while Nick Richards added important baskets inside.
The win leaves Miami at 2-0 in preseason play, while New Orleans falls to 1-1.
