New Orleans Pelicans (5-28) vs. Miami Heat (16-14)
January 1, 2025 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -9.5; Over/Under: +220.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Wells Fargo Center. Here’s a Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Clippers and Grizzlies, and they play the Wizards, Timberwolves, and Trail Blazers next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 106.7 points on 44 percent shooting and allowing 118 points on 48.5 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.7 points and 8 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 33.5 percent from beyond the arc and 76.4 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.9 rebounds per game.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat beat the Rockets, lost to the Hawks, and they play the Pacers, Jazz, and Kings next. The Miami Heat are averaging 112.8 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 109.8 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 24 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler is averaging 18.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
The Heat will be without Josh Richardson and Dru Smith. Duncan Robinson is questionable with a foot injury. The big news is the potential return of Jimmy Butler, who has missed three games with an illness. Butler has been in trade rumors as well, but he’s expected to take the court again for Miami.
The Pelicans will continue to be without Jose Alvarado, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have won just three games since October 27 and injuries have had a lot to do with it. Hard to win without your best players, and that’s been the case for the Pelicans.
Why the Miami Heat Will Beat the Pelicans
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 14 road games.
- The favorites have won each of the Pelicans’ last 10 games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Pelicans’ last nine games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the last seven games between the Pelicans and Heat at Kaseya Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
We’ve been fading the Pelicans all season as they’re not winning, they don’t defend, they’re injured, and they’re 12-21 ATS despite being big underdogs nightly. The Heat are coming off a nice win over the Rockets and are expected to get Butler back. On paper, this is a blowout. However, the Heat are known for playing to their level of competition, so a close game wouldn’t be surprising. The Heat like to make games interesting and it leads to some questionable results.
It shouldn’t shock anybody if this game comes down to the wire. If forced to pick, I’ll roll with the Pelicans and the points.
