Jimmy Butler had 23 points and nine rebounds before being ejected after a fourth-quarter melee and the Miami Heat held off the New Orleans Pelicans 106-95 on Friday night before a hostile and emotionally charged crowd. Bam Adebayo scored 24 points for Miami, which returned from its All-Star break by beating snapping the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak in what also marked the Heat’s seventh straight victory over the Pelicans.
Miami reserve Thomas Bryant, along with Pelicans players Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall, also were ejected after the on-court melee with 11:19 to go. Even a couple fans were escorted out, one of them after throwing things at Heat players from one of the first few rows. The scuffle began when Heat center Kevin Love grabbed Zion Williamson to prevent a layup after Williamson had stolen the ball from Butler in the back court. Williamson fell to the court after Love’s foul. Duncan Robinson scored 17 points and Tyler Herro scored 15 for the Heat