New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans (-155) will host the Miami Heat (+128) at the Smoothie King Center in a non-conference matchup. The Pelicans are currently favored by 3 points and have won four straight games. The Heat have won two in a row and are 8th in the Eastern Conference.
This game will tip off at 8:00 ET and can be seen on BSNO. The over/under line for this game is currently at 222.5 points.
Check out BetCoco for New Orleans Pelicans – Miami Heat odds
New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three games between New Orleans and Miami, the Heat have dominated the series, going 3-0. This includes a convincing margin of victory of 15 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Miami is averaging 112 points compared to New Orleans at 97.
- Across their last three road contests, Miami has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-0-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-0, while averaging 114 points per game.
- In their last ten games at home, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 5-5 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 111 points per game in these contests.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Heat have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 3-0 in these scenarios.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 8-2 straight up.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Prediction
Miami’s O/U record for the season is 21-34, and the under has hit in four straight games. This year, their games have averaged 221 points per game, and today’s line is set at 222.5 points.
In the Eastern Conference, the Heat are currently in 8th place with a record of 30-25. Within the Southeast Division, they are 2nd behind the Hawks (33-23).
Miami has won two straight games and is 25-27 against the spread this season. On the road, they have an ATS record of 13-11 compared to 12-16 at home.
Against the spread, the Heat have covered in their last five games. As underdogs, they are 8-15 ATS this season and have an ATS scoring differential of -2.5 points per game.
In their most recent game, the Heat defeated the 76ers by a score of 109-104. They were 2.5-point underdogs going into the game and have an O/U line of 226.
This season, the Heat are 27th in the NBA in scoring at 110.6 points per game. However, they have been a better offensive team at home, averaging 113.1 points compared to 108.0 on the road.
In terms of pace, Miami is 28th in the league at 96.3 possessions per game. When it comes to field goal percentage, the Heat are 24th in the NBA at 46%.
From beyond the arc, Miami is 10th in three-point shooting at 37%. On average, they make 12.4 threes per game, which is 16th in the league.
Not only do the Heat’s overall defensive numbers look good, as they are 4th in the league in points allowed. Miami has also been playing well on defense of late, ranking 13th in the league over their last three games at 103.7 PPG allowed. In the terms of takeaways, Heat are causing 12.2 turnovers per game, ranking 9th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 30th in rejections, averaging 3.1 blocked shots each game.
Today, the Pelicans are favored by 3 points against the Heat. If they win, it will be their 5th straight win as the favorite. As the favorite, they have a record of 21-11 this season.
Looking at their ATS record, the Pelicans are 16-11 at home and 15-14 on the road. Overall, they are 31-25 against the spread and have covered the spread in their last three games as the underdog.
In their most recent game, the Pelicans defeated the Rockets by a score of 127-105. The O/U line for that game was 227 points. This improved New Orleans’ record to 34-22, which is currently 5th in the Western Conference.
This season, the Pelicans have an O/U record of 27-29, and the over has hit in their last two games. On average, their games have seen 228.7 points scored, which is higher than today’s line of 222.5.
Against Western Conference opponents, the Pelicans are 24-18 compared to 10-4 in non-conference play. In the Western Conference, they are currently in 1st place in the Southwest Division.
At home, the Pelicans are averaging 118.0 points per game, which is 12th in the league. Overall, they are 14th in scoring at 116.6 points per game. So far, they have outscored the NBA scoring average in 53.6% of their games.
When it comes to field goal percentage, the Pelicans are 9th in the league at 48%. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 19th in makes per game and 9th in percentage at 37%. In terms of pace, the Pelicans are 19th in the league at 98.2 possessions per game.
So far this season, the Pelicans have been good at getting to the free-throw line, as they are 7th in free throw attempts per game. In terms of assists, they are 11th in the league at 27.2 per game.
In the current season, the Pelicans defense has excelled, sitting 8th in the NBA by allowing 112.1 points per game. The Pelicans defense is coming off a game in which they held the Rockets offense to just 52.1% shooting. Overall, they gave up 105 points to Houston.
Despite being 3 point underdogs, we predict the Heat to come out on top with a final score of 125-111.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Betting Tips
- We like the Heat on the moneyline (+128)
- The Heat are also our pick on the spread at +3
- Projecting a combined 236 points, we like the over
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
- Brandon Ingram – Illness – Out
- Dyson Daniels – Knee – Out
Miami Heat Injury Report
- Josh Richardson – Shoulder – Out
- Terry Rozier – Knee – Out
- Tyler Herro – Foot – Questionable
- Dru Smith – Knee – Out
