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Kicking off the NBA Christmas Day slate of five games, the Pelicans and Heat will tip-off at a super early 11:00 a.m time for those living in New Orleans. But fans should be wide awake, having already opened any and all presents, right?
One thing you can be sure of about today’s game, don’t expect it to resemble the Pelicans’ 114-92 preseason victory over the Heat from 11 days ago. Jimmy Butler is playing (Goran Dragic likely, too), the rotations will be much tighter, and of course, the intensity will be ratcheted up 10 fold.
“The first preseason game is a whole different animal,” said Stan Van Gundy in pregame. “You’re just looking at some things and everything else. They didn’t have Butler or Dragic, two of their top players. We didn’t have Bledsoe or JJ Redick. I really can’t take very much out of that game.”
For more on this matchup, please give David’s preview a read.
Merry Christmas y’all and let’s geaux Pels!
Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
When: December 25, 11:00 a.m. Central
Where to watch: FSNO, ESPN
Where to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM
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