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After the 106-95 win on Friday night for the Miami Heat against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, star forward Jimmy Butler claimed that his side would get the better of the Pelicans at home next month. The 34-year-old also remarked that Miami are a better team and ready for any challenge, following a massive on-court brawl between the two sides that led to four ejections.
The first half of the Pelicans versus Heat game saw the visitors go ahead before the hosts made it 58-58 at the break. But, the second half belonged firmly to the Heat, who pulled away from the Pelicans, thanks mainly to Bam Adebayo (24 points, seven rebounds, one assist) and Jimmy Butler (23 points, nine rebounds, six assists), to help them register their 31st win of the ongoing NBA season.
After getting ejected in the fourth quarter during the Heat's road win, Jimmy Butler said, “We'll beat them (New Orleans Pelicans) the next time too. We’re just the better team… When we get them on our home court, it's gonna be a different game. I hope they're healthy. It’s gonna be the same outcome.”
4 ejected after Naji Marshall chokes Jimmy Butler during Pelicans vs. Heat
In the fourth quarter, the Heat’s Kevin Love committed a hard foul on the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson with 11:19 remaining to play, which saw chaos ensue at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans’ Naji Marshall pushed away Kevin Love in defense of Zion Williamson, which led to Jimmy Butler pushing back Naji Marshall while running up his hand on the neck, and in response, he got choked by him.
Shortly after the players were separated, the Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado and the Heat’s Thomas Bryant threw punches at each other in another scuffle. Ultimately, Butler, Bryant, Marshall, and Alvarado were ejected from the game.
