Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat (31-25) to a resilient 106-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans (34-23) despite a late-game melee that saw multiple ejections.
Butler showcased his leadership with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Adebayo contributed 24 points, helping the Heat extend their winning streak against the Pelicans to seven games.
The game took a heated turn in the fourth quarter when an on-court altercation led to the ejections of Butler, along with Pelicans players Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall.
Despite the disruption, Miami remained composed, with key contributions from role players like Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, who scored 17 and 15 points, respectively, to secure the victory.
The Pelicans, missing key players like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum due to injury and illness, relied heavily on Zion Williamson, who delivered 23 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in a valiant effort.
