The New Orleans Pelicans lost 128–118 to the Miami Heat on Thursday at Kaseya Center, dropping to 1–1 in preseason play. New Orleans entered the fourth quarter ahead 96–93 before Miami took control with a 35–22 finish. theScore
Two nights after their comeback victory over Oklahoma City, the Pelicans again offered reasons for encouragement—and a clear reminder that offensive talent alone will not carry them.
The most useful lesson from this exhibition is about possession quality. Making difficult shots can rescue a struggling offense for a stretch. Building something dependable requires getting a shot in the first place, then defending without repeatedly scrambling back toward your own basket.
Turnovers overshadow the shooting
New Orleans committed 22 turnovers to Miami’s 11. The Heat also finished with 36 assists, compared with 22 for the Pelicans.
That imbalance spoiled an otherwise productive perimeter performance. New Orleans made 19 of 43 three-point attempts, while Miami connected on 16 of 41. theScore
Those numbers point toward a practical priority for the next film session: distinguish aggressive mistakes from avoidable ones. A pass that narrowly misses an open cutter requires a different correction than a possession lost because a ballhandler leaves his feet without an outlet.
The goal should not be to make players hesitant. It should be to give them clearer decisions—where the release pass belongs, when the roller is available and when the simplest pass keeps an advantage alive.
Poole and Pierre provide encouraging offense
Jordan Poole led New Orleans with 14 points, shooting 4-for-5 overall and 3-for-4 from deep in just over 13 minutes. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 12, making four of six three-point attempts. Saddiq Bey added 12 points and five rebounds. NBA Game on October 08, 2026
For Poole, the larger evaluation is how his scoring fits within a connected offense. Quick decisions and efficient opportunities offer a useful path toward consistent production without requiring him to dominate every possession.
Pierre’s performance gives the coaching staff another reason to examine his minutes closely. For a player trying to establish a role, shooting is the opening argument. Defensive positioning, reliable rotations and decisions after a closeout will determine how strong that argument becomes.
Selected Pelicans performances
| Player | Points | Notable statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Poole | 14 | 3-for-4 from three |
| Jaron Pierre Jr. | 12 | 4-for-6 from three |
| Saddiq Bey | 12 | 5 rebounds |
| Yves Missi | 11 | 9 rebounds |
| Trey Murphy III | 11 | 2 made threes |
| Jeremiah Fears | 11 | 4-for-8 shooting |
| Zion Williamson | 8 | 3-for-9 shooting |
| Derik Queen | 5 | 8 rebounds, 5 turnovers |
Statistics from the game’s box score. NBA Game on October 08, 2026
Miami wins the easier scoring opportunities
Miami outscored New Orleans 30–11 on fast breaks and 58–40 in the paint. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. NBA Game on October 08, 2026
Those advantages highlight where the defensive review should begin. Transition defense starts before the opponent crosses half court: floor balance, shot selection and the location of turnovers all influence whether defenders can get organized.
In the half court, the questions become more specific. Can the first defender contain the drive? Does the help arrive early enough? When the big man steps toward the ball, who takes responsibility for the player behind him?
The box score identifies the areas to investigate. Film is needed to assign responsibility accurately.
A better finish must become part of the identity
New Orleans won the third quarter 32–20, overturning a nine-point halftime deficit. But the fourth quarter reversed that progress, leaving the Pelicans with an uneven performance despite their perimeter success. theScore
Preseason rotations make sweeping judgments about late-game execution premature. Experimental groups and limited veteran minutes are part of the process. The useful standard is whether each lineup carries out the same basic responsibilities.
The next step is straightforward: protect the ball, organize the transition defense and make opponents work through multiple actions to score. Individual shot-making will always matter, but it becomes far more valuable when it supports a dependable possession-by-possession approach.
Thursday supplied promising shooting performances and plenty of teaching material. The challenge now is turning those lessons into habits that survive changes in the lineup.
