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Oh, I must say it's become rather cumbersome finding a picture that includes only available and healthy players, although coming off his best performance of the season, Omer Asik deserves some love. Potentially, seven players on the Pelicans' roster could miss tonight's contest, with only Norris Cole (back) listed as questionable.
Pelicans injury report for Miami tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/BnfLTNVOPK
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) March 21, 2016
Reportedly, there is a chance that Ryan Anderson could be shut down as well for the season, but let's not dwell on this possible harbinger. Rather, let's discuss the fact that the Pelicans received a balanced scoring effort from a number of unknowns to pull out an improbable upset last Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dante Cunningham (19), Tim Frazier (17) and Asik (15) all set season-highs for points, and Frazier's effort was also a career-high. Jrue Holiday led the way with 22 points and the coaching staff has made it known that they would like for him to work on his leadership for the remainder of the schedule.
The Miami Heat will be seeking to sweep the season series against the Pelicans for the first time since 2012-13. They emerged victorious in overtime on Christmas Day in a poor shooting-display by both teams, 94-88.
Miami will be missing Chris Bosh (blood clot) and Tyler Johnson (shoulder), but the rest of their roster is good to go. During the month of March, six players have averaged double-figures in scoring. In case you've missed it, this is not superstar Dwyane Wade leading the squad but a conglomerate effort -- I've been particularly impressed by a specific duo off the bench.
Hassan Whiteside has solidified the middle with some incredibly consistent production (16.8 pts, 12.7 rebs and 3.1 blks), a testament to him blocking out his trade deadline rumors. The biggest surprise, though, has been Josh Richardson. He has averaged 12.6 points on stellar shooting percentages giving the Heat a dependable wing option off the bench, unlike Gerald Green.
This past Sunday, the Heat had an impressive 122-101 win over the Eastern Conference leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Theoretically, they shouldn't lose to this swiss cheese roster also known as the Pelicans, but Chris Paul and Doc Rivers probably had the same notion just days ago.