The New Orleans Pelicans hoped that their recent improvement on defense would enable them to carry some momentum into the All-Star Break.

They had allowed just 112 points per game in the nine games since switching to a bigger, more physical starting lineup. That improvement over their season average of 120.4 points allowed had triggered a 5-4 record, including wins in their last two games.

But the Pelicans’ inability to rebound effectively dragged down their overall defense in a 123-111 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center.

Overall the Pelicans (15-41) defended the Heat’s shots well (41.2 percent on field goals, 29.8 percent on 3-pointers), but Miami’s 56-47 rebounding edge, including 18-9 on the offensive glass, led to a 24-13 advantage in second-chance points.

It also helped the Heat (29-27) take nine more field-goal attempts and 14 more free throws, leading to a nine-point edge at the foul line.

“We’ve got to be better with our physicality on the interior,” interim head coach James Borrego said. “We had plenty of opportunities to get stops. It just becomes one on one on the board and somehow, some way you’ve got to go get those.”

Borrego noted the absence of backup center Yves Miss. who was a late scratch because of left calf soreness, but didn’t use it as an excuse for the shortcomings inside. Missi’s absence provided an opportunity to Kevon Looney, who hadn’t played since Jan. 21, and he responded with nine rebounds and six points in 14 minutes.

Looney was second only to rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears in rebounds. Fears finished with 13 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double in addition to tying a season-high with eight assists.

“That kid is blossoming with his maturity and his aggression,” Borrego said. “The game has really slowed down for him, yet his speed is still a presence out there – his pace, his poise, his defense. His progress has been significant.”

Fear’s progress has coincided with the lineup change that sent him to bench while Saddiq Bey, who at 6-foot-7 is listed as three inches taller than Fears in addition to being significantly more physical than the 19-year-old, started.

“I couldn’t be prouder of how he has handled this,” Borrego said of Fears. “It’s not like his speed has changed or his athleticism has changed. It’s how he’s using it that he has improved at. He’s making better decisions and quicker decisions.”

Zion Williamson scored 25 points and Trey Murphy III had 19 before leaving the game for good with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter because of a right shoulder injury, though he did return to the bench midway through the fourth quarter. Bey scored 14 and Bryce McGowens had 12.

Derik Queen, who will join Fears in the Rising Stars competition in Los Angeles on Friday night, also scored 12.

“I’m going to come home with some new things for sure,” Fears said, “but more importantly I’m going to have fun, enjoy my time and go compete.”

The Pelicans’ next game will be Feb. 20 against Milwaukee in the Smoothie King Center.

Bam Adebayo had 27 points and 14 rebounds, Kel’el Ware had 16 points and 12 rebounds, Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 23, Simone Fontecchio scored 15 and Kasparas Jakucionis added 11 to lead Miami.

The Heat, who defeated the Pelicans 125-106 on Jan. 4 in Miami, led by three points at halftime and used a 16-6 run midway through the third quarter to expand the lead to 85-72.

McGowens and Bey each made a 3-pointer to start New Orleans’ fourth-quarter scoring and trim the lead to seven points. Miami made five throws to push the lead to 10 points.

The Pelicans used a 10-0 run to get within 112-105 with nearly five minutes remaining, but Adebayo made a layup and a free throw for a 10-point lead. Williamson’s put-back trimmed the lead to four, but Fontecchio made a 3-pointer with 53.8 seconds left.

Ware had seven points and five teammates scored as the Heat bolted to a 19-6 lead. Fears came off the bench and jump started the Pelicans’ offense with seven points and they pulled within 31-25 at the end of the first quarter.

Williamson scored New Orleans’ first eight points of the second quarter and the Pelicans grabbed a 46-42 lead. New Orleans made just two field goals during a nearly six-minute stretch and Miami opened an eight-point lead.

Bey made a 3-pointer and Queen and Williamson each added field goal to help the Pelicans get within 58-55 at halftime.