Pelicans make very positive first impression with preseason win at Miami

First impressions often times lead to permanent feelings.

If our first impression of the 2020-21 New Orleans Pelicans mean anything, it could be a good season for the home team.

The Pelicans were better from start to finish in a solid 114-92 victory at Miami, a team that played in the NBA championship series last season, which, by the way, was not very long ago.

In an offensive-minded first quarter, the Pelicans won the period 32-30.

Miami was 1-for-17 from 3-point range in the second quarter and that led to New Orleans outscoring the Heat to take a 60-53 lead by the break.

The Pelicans hammered the Heat on the boards, 27-16.

Ingram had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists in the half, including a thunderous driving dunk from the right baseline, over a defender as Ingram reached the top of the block of the backboard with his right hand and the basketball in tow.

Williamson had 13 points and six rebounds while Nickeil Alexander-Walker came up big off the bench with 11 points and three rebounds.

New Orleans held Miami to just 19 points in the third quarter and increased the lead to 85-72 going to the final period and were never threatened the rest of the way.

There was a lot to like, aside from the big two of Williamson and Ingram.

Steven Adams showed his value with good post defense, offensive rebounding, solid picks, all staples of his game in Oklahoma City. He also displayed good high-low action with Williamson, something that should be very productive with New Orleans. Adams finished with seven points and eight rebounds in just 19 minutes. Adams does not need the ball to flourish.

The offensive rebounds led to a slew of second chance points for the Pelicans.

A real plus was the 3-point shooting of Alexander-Walker, not a skill he was known for a year ago. Alexander-Walker was 4-of-8 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points and five rebounds.

Josh Hart was the energizer bunny, rebounding, hustling and defending. Hart can guard bigger or smaller players, a real plus. Hart plays bigger than he is. Hart finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three steals. His flexibility will be huge for New Orleans, once again.

First-round pick Kira Lewis Jr. got in for 10 minutes and made his mark, sinking a 3-pointer and making a floater in the lane. Lewis is quick and he is just 19.

Jaxson Hayes contributed six points and six rebounds off the bench and remains a nice, athletic big who can run the floor and affect shots. Nicolo Melli had eight points and four rebounds in 19 minutes.

It was nice to see Williamson not having minutes restrictions imposed and he showed he can go a longer distance and not be gassed as he played 33 minutes.

The Pelicans destroyed the Heart on the glass by a 51-34 margin which included 15 offensive rebounds leading to second chance points.

New Orleans played without two guys who are expected to being key contributors in JJ Redick and Eric Bledsoe, who did not make the trip due what was called medical protocol.

Star Jimmy Butler, veteran guard Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala did not play for the Heat.

Yes, New Orleans played its starters longer but that should have been the case for a young team trying to find its identify and familiarity with itself and with a new coach and system.

New Orleans passed its first test with flying colors, flying high, over and around the slower Heat.

The Pelicans will play their final preseason game at home Friday night at Smoothie King Center against the Milwaukee Bucks.