The New Orleans Pelicans (5-28) travel to face off against the Miami Heat (16-14) on Wednesday, January 1st. This game will be played at Kaseya Center in Miami and televised on Gulf. The Heat are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Pelicans are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Pelicans. Tip-off is set for 7:30 ET.

Pelicans vs Heat

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans fell to 5-28 on the season after a 116-113 loss to the Clippers on Monday. Despite being +4.5 point underdogs, New Orleans kept it close, losing by just three points at home. The game’s total of 229 points exceeded the O/U line of 218.5 by 10.5 points.

New Orleans went on a 14-0 run, stretching the score from 48-45 to 62-45. However, after a 25-25 tie in the 2nd quarter, the Clippers outscored the Pelicans 31-28 in the 3rd and 29-23 in the 4th, erasing New Orleans’ 90-87 lead heading into the final period.

The Heat Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Heat improved to 16-14 on the season with a 104-100 road win over the Rockets on Sunday. Miami, who entered the game as +8.5 underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points of 204 fell short of the 215 O/U line.

Miami went on a crucial 12-0 run, extending their lead from 12-6 to 24-6. After trailing 82-81 going into the 4th quarter, the Heat held the Rockets to 18 points in the final period while scoring 23 to secure the win.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

The Pelicans shot 51.2% from the field and knocked down 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.

Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy each added 18 points, with Murphy also connecting on 4 threes. McCollum scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jones and Murphy each contributed 9 points in the opening period.

Heat Offense Breakdown

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

Miami struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 threes at 30.3%, and shot 44% overall. Herro scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jovic and Haywood Highsmith each contributed 5 points in the final period.

Pelicans Team Defense

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, where they held the Clippers to 25 points, the Pelicans couldn’t overcome 31-point performances in the 1st and 3rd quarters, ultimately allowing 116 points in the loss. New Orleans limited Los Angeles to 13 made threes on 35% shooting from deep.

The Pelicans sent the Clippers to the line 27 times, where they converted 21 free throws. New Orleans finished with 29 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards. They also recorded 13 steals and 5 blocks.

Heat Team Defense

The Pelicans gave up 116 points to the Clippers, allowing 31 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. Their best defensive effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 25 points. New Orleans also gave up 29 points in the 4th quarter.

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

Pelicans vs Heat Trends

• Through their last ten road contests, the Pelicans offense has averaged 102 points per game while allowing an average of 121. New Orleans posted an overall record of 0-10 while going 3-7 ATS.
• 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.
• The last three games that New Orleans was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 0-3 straight up.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Heat have a straight up record of 2-1, while going 1-2 against the spread.

Pelicans vs Heat Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +9, the Pelicans is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 221.5 and our model has the Pelicans and Heat finishing with a combined 238 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.