By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: MEGAN BRIGGS Getty Images
The Miami Heat dominated the New Orleans Pelicans, 125-106, on Sunday night.
It is one of Miami’s best offensive performances of the season. Norman Powell had the hot hand with 34 points and made a career high nine threes.
“Just reading the game honestly,” Powell said. “The way my shot felt, everything felt good, my release, my balance, and then just reading the pickup points of the defenders. After I made the first couple, things were feeling good. I just kept looking at where they were picking me up and letting it fly.”
Miami’s defense was also big-time in this game, especially in the second half. Coach Erik Spoelstra made solid decisions and got the most out of the second unit.
“We have to play with a recklessness and activity level,” Spoelstra said. “It’s more about we look different when we’re flying around and making plays and making it tough for the opponent. We’re not a toe-to-toe team, but we can get teams uncomfortable if everybody’s committed to those kinds of efforts.”
The Pelicans committed 17 turnovers in the first half. Miami scored 31 points off the Pelicans’ mistakes. The Heat had 19 steals and had a season high 31 fastbreak points on Sunday. When the Heat play like this, they can be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat improved to 20-16. Miami is currently in seventh place in the standings. This team must avoid being a play-in tournament team this season. They have won five of their last six games.
Miami will begin a four-game road trip starting against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Miami is looking to avenge its loss to Minnesota on Saturday.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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