Miami Heat And New Orleans Pelicans Equipped The Position Of Eight NBA Playoffs

Miami Heat player Tyler Herro (right) celebrated the tripoin he made with Caleb Martin (center) as his team played the Chicago Bulls in the play-in at the Miami, Florida Kaseya Center. (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelians managed to complete eighth in the NBA playoffs after the two won their final qualifying round at each conference.

Pelians won 105-98 against Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. Meanwhile, Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls 112-91 at the Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida.

Miami Heat recorded the same feat as the previous season by successfully qualifying for the playoffs through two qualifying round matches. Even without lead star Jimmy Butler who suffered a knee injury, Heat showed a strong performance. Tyler Hero is in the spotlight scoring 24 points close to triple-doubly with 10 rebounds and nine assists. Young player Jaime Jaquez Jr. also made a significant contribution with 21 points.

Heat fans chanted "We want Boston!" referring to Heat's win over the Boston Celtics in the 2023 NBA finals. Even though Butler was absent, Heat remains optimistic about facing the Celtics.

Meanwhile, New Orleans Pelians closed the regular season with an important win after previously missing two chances to get a playoff ticket. Even without the injured Zion Williamson, Pelians appeared solid with a balanced game of the entire team. Brandon Ingram became the top scorer with 24 points, followed by Jonas Valanciunas with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Pelians will face leaders of the Western Region, Oklahoma City Thunder, in the first match of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Meanwhile, Miami Heat will meet again with the Boston Celtics in a match that is expected to peak as the final of the Eastern Region the previous year. Both matches will take place on Monday, April 22.