The New Orleans Pelicans (9-20) simply cannot catch a break this season.
Despite fighting back from a seemingly insurmountable 13-point deficit to provide themselves with an opportunity at a game-winning look as time expired, the Pelicans could not garner their fourth road victory of the season, falling to the Miami Heat, 94-88, in an extra period on Christmas Day.
A 20-5 run by New Orleans gave the team a 72-70 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the game, however, the team could not distance themselves from the Heat, who improved to 17-11 with a dominant performance in overtime.
Power forward Chris Bosh recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds in 42 minutes of action for Miami while shooting guard Dwyane Wade worked his way to 19 points, six rebounds and four assists on yet another impressive Christmas Day outing to lead the Heat to a win.
Center Hassan Whiteside was crucial in his team's superiority on the glass, snatching 17 rebounds to accompany his eight points and four blocks on the afternoon. Miami outrebounded New Orleans, 57-45, including 11 offensive boards.
For the Pelicans, center Anthony Davis erupted for 29 points and 15 rebounds in 50 minutes of action, however, his missed two-pointer with one second remaining in regulation provided life to a Heat squad that appeared dead in the water.
Power forward Ryan Anderson was instrumental in leading New Orleans back from the deficit they faced in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of 18 down the stretch to help force overtime.
Shooting guard Eric Gordon also chipped in 16 points for the Pelicans, who dropped to 3-14 on the road with the loss.
After Davis' miss sent the game into overtime with the game knotted at 78, the Heat entered the extra period with a flurry of momentum. Following a layup by Pelicans shooting guard Tyreke Evans which cut Miami's lead to 83-82 with 2:33 remaining, Bosh knocked down a running left-handed hook shot and Wade hit a picture-perfect turnaround jumper to push the gap to 87-82.
With 40 seconds left in the contest, Wade drove left, spun around, and located a streaking Bosh running down the other side of the paint who collected the dime from his teammate and finished the layup with contact to increase the Heat advantage to an insurmountable 90-82, sealing the win for Miami.
After celebrating their W with some Christmas dinner, the Heat will travel north to challenge the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, looking for a key divisional victory. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will head home to New Orleans before facing the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, searching for their 10th win of the season.