Tensions were high at the Smoothie King Center as the Miami Heat literally battled the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, just the second day back from a lengthy NBA All-Star break.
Related: NBA MVP race
Both teams are battling for playoff positioning in their respective conferences, with the Heat holding onto the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and the Pelicans holding the fifth seed in the West entering play today.
While this was always going to be a key matchup between contending teams, it was the physicality that led to a bench-clearing brawl, including Jimmy Butler getting feisty.
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat fight New Orleans Pelicans
With the Miami Heat leading the New Orleans Pelicans by four points nearly a minute into the fourth quarter, Zion Williamson came away with a steal on Jimmy Butler. Kevin Love, who was nearby, reacted quickly and tried to prevent Williamson from getting an easy bucket. To do so, he essentially grabbed Williamson, hoping to avoid a clean shot.
Yet, Williamson took issue with the contact, as Love ended up sending the explosive big to the floor, making the scene appear like a hard foul.
So then Naji Marshall rushed to his teammate’s assistance and began shoving Jimmy Butler, and then all hell broke loose between both teams. Here are two clips we’ve uncovered from the Heat-Pelicans fight.
Jimmy Butler and Thomas Bryant from Miami were ejected, with Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall ejected from New Orleans.
In the end, the Heat got the last laugh, beating the Pelicans 106-95. Yet, you can be sure this won’t be the last we hear from this one. Expect fines and/or suspensions to follow in the next few days.
Meanwhile, we’re still laughing about the Pelicans’ off-court battle with Stephen A. Smith. Which, this loss will only serve as more fuel for the popular sports critic.
