NBA finalists in 2020, Miami Heat have beaten the New Orleans Pelicans with Kiwi centre Steven Adams 111-98 in a Christmas Day (Saturday NZT) showdown in Miami.
Miami, beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the NBA finals in October, led the Pelicans throughout up 29-26 after the first quarter and 66-53.
New Orleans came within 10 in the final quarter, but the Heat repelled the challenge.
On opening day the Pelicans beat the Toronto Raptors 113-99 on the road, with Adams earning plaudits from coach Stan Van Gundy.
Adams played 32 minutes, scoring 6 points, taking 9 rebounds and making an assist.
Zion Williamson spearheaded the New Orleans attack with 32 points and 14 rebounds, with Brandon Ingram scoring 28.
For Miami the scoring was spread more widely across the squad, Duncan Robinson scored 23, Goran Dragic 18 and Bam Adebayo 17.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remained perfect on Christmas, with the record-tying show from Robinson helped him stay that way.
Robinson made seven 3-pointers – tying the most on Christmas ever – in his 23 points.
Spoelstra moved to 8-0 on Christmas as coach of the Heat.
The Pelicans were outscored 48-30 from 3-point range and shot only 40 per cent to Miami’s 51 per cent.
Josh Hart scored 12 for New Orleans.
Robinson’s seven 3s tied the mark Ingram set last year. Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the second half for Miami, ruled out with right ankle stiffness.
