GORAN Dragic returned to action after missing a game due to a swollen eye, powering the Heat to a 120-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday in Miami.
The Heat got back on track after bowing to the Indiana Pacers, a game Dragic missed after getting elbowed in the eye by Cory Joseph in a win over the Toronto Raptors.
Dragic still had a black eye, but played well and had 33 points in 32 minutes of action, making 11 of 18 field goal attempts including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Hassan Whiteside had 20 points and 17 rebounds, while Wayne Ellington came off the bench to score 19 for Miami, which notched its 33rd win in 68 games.
The Pelicans saw their win streak end at two, absorbing their 41st loss in 68 outings.
Anthony Davis went 7 for 17 and wound up with 27 points, while DeMarcus Cousins scored 19 on 8 of 17 shooting, and was a rebound shy of a double-double.