New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Prediction
| Game Time | 7:30 pm EST |
| New Orleans Pelicans Line | +9 |
| Miami Heat Line | -9 |
| Total | 222 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
The team that currently holds the longest active losing streak in the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans, are visiting the Miami Heat in this matchup. The Heat are coming back home after a three-game road trip that they went for 2-1 wins. The Heat have lost just once in their last four games and are now back home, where they have been significantly better than on the road. On the other hand, the Pelicans are on a free fall, with ten consecutive losses, and have fallen to the last place of the West. New Orleans is back on the road, where they have been the worst team of the West, and are tied with the Raptors for the worst in the whole league.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Prediction
Miami Heat Injury Report: Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler are day-to-day, Josh Richardson and Dru Smith are out
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report: Trey Murphy III is day-to-day, Karlo Matkovic, Jose Alvarado, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson are out
Miami Heat Form and Trends
The Heat have a 16-14 record this season and are sitting on the 7th place of the East. Miami is 14-16 against the spread and 16-14 in over/under. The Heat have a 9-5 home record, and are 7-7 against the spread, with a +6.1-point differential. The Heat are 3-1 in their last 4 games, and 3-1 against the spread. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
Miami is coming off a 104-100 win in Houston, as they held the Rockets into just 39% shooting from the field and 32% from downtown. Tyler Herro led Miami’s offense with 27 points, 6 rebounds and a game-high 9 assists.
Herro leads Miami in scoring with an average of 24.1 points, adding 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Jimmy Butler adds 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5 assists but he is questionable for today.
New Orleans Pelicans Recent Form and Trends
The Pelicans have a 5-28 record this season and are sitting on the last place of the West. New Orleans is 12-21 against the spread and 17-15-1 in over/under. The Pelicans have a 1-14 road record, and are 3-12 against the spread, with a -17.8-point differential. New Orleans is 1-189 in their last 20 games, but 2-2 against the spread in their last 4. Over is 9-3 in their last 12 games.
The Pelicans are coming off a 113-116 loss by the Clippers, even though they shot better both from the field (51% to 48%), and from beyond the arc (49% to 35%). All five New Orleans starters scored double digits, led by Cj McCollum with 33 points with 8 triples and 4 assists.
Zion Williamson leads the Pels in scoring with 22.7 points, adding 8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Brandon Ingram adds 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists but both are out with injuries.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Heat are averaging 111 points per game, which is 14th in the league. Miami shoots with 45.2% from the field (21st), and with 37.3% from beyond the arc (5th). Defensively, they allow 108.7 points per game, which is the 6th-best in the NBA.
Offensively, the Pels are fourth-worst in the league, averaging 106.7 points per game. They shoot 44% from the field, which is the second-worst in the league, and 33.5% from beyond the arc (25th). Defensively, the Pels allow 117.9 points per game, which is just 25th in the league.
The Heat are 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the Pelicans, and 6-2 against the spread. Both teams are tied 2-2 against the spread in their last 4 meetings in Miami, and under is 8-2 in their last 10 overall meetings.
Prediction
In this New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Prediction, the Heat are coming as -9 home favorites. The Heat are rightfully favored, as they have been the superior team this season. The Heat are much better at home, while the Pelicans have been terrible on the road with just one win in 15 road games, and are also the worst covering road team, losing by an average of 17.8 points. The Heat are playing much better basketball lately, so there is no reason not to trust them at home. Take the Heat and lay the points. Nick’s Free Pick: Miami Heat -9
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