New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat: Preview & Live Stream
Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to tie their longest winning streak of the season at three when they visit the Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on Friday.
It is the first Christmas Day game for the 22-year-old Davis and the first for the Pelicans since 2008 while the Heat are looking their tenth franchise win on the holiday.
"The past couple of years watching, knowing we can be there. Now, we're finally here. I don't know what to expect. We know all the hype that's around a Christmas game. You can't get too amped up. We've got to do whatever we can to win," Davis told NBA.com.
The Pelicans have scored an average of 122.5 points in the last two games, both wins. The latest is an 115-89 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Smoothie King Center. Davis led New Orleans with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks while Tyreke Evans added 24 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
"I thought we were good at just being solid defensively. We didn't have the breakdowns the roll to the baskets or anything like that. Hopefully, it's another step in the consistency of what we're trying to do," Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said after the game.
Miami has not lost on Christmas since 2007 when they lost to LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers. The 16-11 Heat are looking to solidify their spot as a top-four team in the Eastern Conference and give the home fans a great Christmas win.
The Heat lost a close one Tuesday when the Detroit Pistons defeated them, 93-92. Chris Bosh led the team with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists while Wade added 19 points, three rebounds with an assist and a steal in just 28 minutes of action.
"That one's a tough one. They had a poor first quarter, we had a horrible second quarter and then it became an absolute grind-out, competitive basketball game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Hassan Whiteside had another double-double with 16 points and 16 boards to go along with 4 blocks while Beno Udrih scored 14 points while starting for the injured Goran Dragic. The Slovenian is still listed as day-to-day due to thumb and wrist injuries.
The Pelicans will be without backup point guard Ish Smith as he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Tip-off starts at 12:00 PM ET and is nationally televised on ESPN. You can also watch the game online via live stream WatchESPN.
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