The Miami Heat lost their last game when a comeback didn’t wipe out a very slow start.
The New Orleans Pelicans lost their last game after running out of gas in the fourth quarter.
Both teams will be looking for a more consistent performance when they meet Wednesday in New Orleans.
Miami never led Monday against the host Atlanta Hawks and fell behind by as many as 26 points in the first half. The Heat got as close as seven points in the third quarter and remained in striking distance for part of the fourth before falling, 121-113.
The Heat welcomed back from injury starters Tyler Herro (15 points) and Caleb Martin (seven points). They’re still missing another starter — Kyle Lowry, who’s day-to-day and is on the road trip that concludes Saturday in Dallas.
The Pelicans are still waiting to welcome back three of their injured starters — Brandon Ingram (toe), who hasn’t played since November; Zion Williamson (hamstring), who has missed the last seven games; and Herbert Jones (back), who has missed the last three. Jones seems to have the best chance of the three to play Wednesday.
New Orleans finished 2-3 on its longest road trip of the season when it fell at Cleveland 113-103 on Monday. The Pelicans led by three points after three quarters but got outscored 35-22 in the fourth even though the Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell sat out the final period after straining a groin.
Cleveland took control with a 16-2 run to start the fourth quarter as New Orleans didn’t make a field goal until the period was more than halfway over.
With the other starters out, New Orleans had to lean on Valanciunas and CJ McCollum, who had 25 points.
