Tyler Herro scored a game-high 26 pts, & Kyle Lowry scored nine in the fourth quarter to lead the host Miami Heat to a 100-96 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
Bam Adebayo & Jimmy Butler each had 18 points for Miami, while Lowry added 17.
New Orleans’ CJ McCollum hit a 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left, and the Pelicans could have taken a 99-98 lead, but the shot missed the front of the basket.
Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double (14 points, 16 rebounds) in a four-game losing streak for the Pelicans. New Orleans also got a team-high 17 points from Trey Murphy III. McCollum scored just 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting.
Miami is 8-4 in its last 12 games against a 16-point deficit.
New Orleans is again without two of its stars and top scorers to injuries: Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (toe).
Pelicans backup Devonte Graham scored seven points, with a steal and quick halftime move late in the first quarter. The field goal was initially ruled late but was called a strike between the quarters.
New Orleans led 32-23 after one quarter, and the Pelicans went 9-for-11 from the paint and 63.2 percent overall.
The Heat finished the second quarter with a 10-0 run driven by the defense and trailed 47-41 at halftime. Lowry hit a 70-foot field goal after the halftime whistle, and it came close.
Miami took the lead on two free throws by Butler with 3:10 left in the third quarter, giving the Heat a 65-63 Lead. However, the Pelicans took a 72-69 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Pelicans turned over 24 times in the game, including some clutch turnovers in the final minute. With Miami leading 97-96 with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Daniels tried to hit Larry Nance Jr. in the post. But the pass was high, and the ball fell off Nance’s left hand.
Miami’s Victor Oladipo made a free throw for a 98-96 lead. Daniels then failed to get the ball in bounds within 5 seconds and made another turnover.
The Pelicans’ last chance was a shot by McCollum, who Butler closely guarded.