Despite their player Jimmy Butler leaving the game due to ankle discomfort, the Miami Heat secured their first win of the season on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans (111-98) with an inspired Duncan Robinson, who made seven three-pointers.
The Heat, who fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in October, had Robinson as their top scorer with 23 points, followed by Slovenian guard Goran Dragic with 18 points and 9 assists.
Jimmy Butler scored 4 points in 16 minutes played and did not return to the court after halftime due to stiffness in his right ankle, as reported by the Heat, who played their first game at their home court, the American Airlines Arena.
The Heat had lost to the Magic in Orlando last Wednesday in the second day of the new NBA season.
"We are more comfortable every day," said Duncan Robinson. "We were disappointed with how the first day went and we like playing at home, even without fans."
The Pelicans, on the other hand, had won their season opener against the Toronto Raptors but had a poor performance in Miami on Friday, with only their players Zion Williamson (32 points and 14 rebounds) and Brandon Ingram (28 and 2) standing out.
The NBA's Christmas Day program offers four other games, with LeBron James' Lakers hosting Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's Brooklyn Nets visiting the Boston Celtics.
Results from Friday's NBA games:
- Miami Heat 111-98 New Orleans Pelicans
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Golden State Warriors (In progress)
- Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets (17:00 hour in Ecuador)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (20:00 hour in Ecuador)
- Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (22:30 hour in Ecuador)
(D)