Miami Heat defeat New Orleans Pelicans in preseason matchup

The Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 in a preseason matchup, moving to a 2-0 record in exhibition play. The game featured a revamped Miami roster including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell.

Despite the victory, Antetokounmpo identified several areas for improvement before the regular season begins. He specifically cited the need for better defense, communication, rebounding, physicality, and improved transition running habits. He noted that the team must work on trust and eliminating hesitation regarding ball handling.

For the Pelicans, the loss highlighted ongoing concerns regarding defensive consistency and the effectiveness of their starting lineups. While Jeremiah Fears showed promise, the team continues to evaluate combinations under coach Jamahl Mosley, as offensive cornerstones Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III have yet to establish dominant preseason production.