CJ McCollum scored game-high 30 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans (43-27) to a commanding 111-88 victory over the Miami Heat (38-32).
Despite missing Brandon Ingram due to injury, New Orleans had other players step up with Jose Alvarado adding 17 points and seven rebounds and key contributions from Trey Murphy III (14, 8 rebounds) and Naji Marshall (13 points, 7rebounds). Zion Williamson played just 25 minutes and finished the game with four points.
The Heat, hindered by injuries to key players Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 13 for 47 from beyond the arc.
Jimmy Butler led Miami in scoring with 17 points, while Bam Adebayo added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Terry Rozier contributed 13 points. Cole Swider provided a punch off the bench with 14 points.
Miami’s offensive woes continued as they fell four games behind in the Southeast Division race and missed an opportunity to climb out of the play-in tournament range.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans maintained their position as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
