Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup

Check out our free Pelicans vs Heat prediction for this NBA matchup in Miami. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this regular season NBA matchup.

  • The Pelicans face the Heat in Miami at 5-28.
  • The Pelicans are averaging 106.7 points per game so far.
  • The Pelicans are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Heat.
  • The Heat sit at 16-14.
  • Miami has an effective field goal percentage of 53% (21st).
  • The Heat are coming off a 104-100 win vs. the Pelicans.

Pelicans vs Heat Prediction

At 7:30 ET, the Miami Heat (-376) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+299) in a non-conference matchup. The Heat are favored by 9 points and the over/under line is set at 221.5.

Miami comes into the game with a record of 16-14, which has them 7th in the Eastern Conference. The Pelicans are 5-28 and have lost 10 straight games. Tip-off is at the Kaseya Center in Miami and the game can be seen on Gulf.

Pelicans vs. Heat Matchup At A Glance

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
  • Where: Miami at Kaseya Center
  • Date: Wednesday, January 1st
  • Betting Odds MIA -9, NO +299 | MIA -376 O/U 221.5

Pelicans Preview: Can the Pelicans Grab a Win in Miami?

The Pelicans dropped to 5-28 on the season after a 116-113 home loss to the Clippers on Monday. Despite being +4.5 point underdogs, New Orleans managed to cover the spread, losing by just three points. The combined score of 229 points went over the pre-game total of 218.5.

New Orleans appeared to be in control after a 14-0 run that pushed the score from 48-45 to 62-45. However, the Clippers chipped away at the lead, and after a 31-28 third quarter, L.A. outscored the Pelicans 29-23 in the final period to complete the comeback.

The Pelicans shot 51.2% from the field and connected on 18 threes at a 48.6% clip in their loss to the Clippers. CJ McCollum led the way with 33 points, hitting 8 threes at 57.1% efficiency. Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones each added 18 points, with Murphy knocking down 4 threes at 57.1% and Jones shooting 66.7% from deep.

McCollum scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter, while adding 7 more in the 4th. Murphy and Jones both contributed 9 points in the opening period.

Defensively, the Pelicans gave up 116 points to the Clippers, allowing 31 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. They tightened up in the 2nd, holding the Clippers to 25 points, and allowed 29 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Pelicans limited the Clippers to 13 made threes on 35% shooting. They sent the Clippers to the line 27 times, where they hit 21 free throws. The Pelicans recorded 13 steals and 5 blocks.

Heat Preview: Can the Heat Hold Strong at Home?

After a 116-113 loss to the Clippers on Monday, the Pelicans are now 5-28 this season. New Orleans, who were +4.5 point underdogs, kept it close and covered the spread. The game’s total of 229 points went over the pre-game line of 218.5.

The Pelicans went on a 14-0 run to stretch their lead from 48-45 to 62-45, but the Clippers chipped away, winning the 3rd quarter 31-28 and the 4th quarter 29-23 to complete the comeback.

In the Heat's win over the Rockets, Tyler Herro led the way with 27 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds, shooting 58.8% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 42.9%. Nikola Jovic added 18 points and 7 rebounds, connecting on 3 threes at 60% efficiency.

Miami struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 threes at a 30.3% clip, and shot 44% overall. Herro scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jovic contributed 5 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

The Heat's defense stepped up in the 4th quarter, allowing just 18 points to help secure a 104-100 win over the Rockets. Overall, they gave up 100 points while holding Houston to 39% shooting from the field. Miami's defense also limited the Rockets' three-point shooting, allowing 13 made threes at a 32% clip.

From the free-throw line, the Rockets went 11/13. The Heat grabbed 37 defensive rebounds but allowed 19 offensive boards. They also recorded 6 steals and 3 blocks in the game.

Pelicans vs Heat Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

  • Across their ten previous road games, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 3-7. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-10 while averaging 102 points per game.
  • When looking at their past three matchups at home, Miami has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 101 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
  • Looking back on the team's last three games as the underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 0-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
  • In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Heat have a strong straight up record of 4-1. In addition, their ATS record was 3-2 in these scenarios.

Pelicans vs Heat Prediction

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