Heat vs. Pelicans Prediction
Can the New Orleans Pelicans stop the bleeding at home tonight when they host the Miami Heat at 8PM ET?
551 Miami Heat vs. 552 New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, March 6, 2020
8PM ET – Smoothie King Center
TV – ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Pelicans are the slim favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -1.5 points against the Heat. The over/under total is listed at 234.5 points. The public betting currently has 58 percent of the wagers going on the Pelicans as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Heat hit the road
Miami is hitting the road after a four-game win streak at home. That includes a 116-113 win against Orlando on Wednesday night. The Heat are 40-22 on the season, 13-18 on the road, 32-28-2 against the spread and 38-23-1 with the over.
The Heat are putting up 112.7 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47 percent from the field. Defensively, Miami is giving up 109.2 points per game while opponents shoot 44.9 percent against them. Jimmy Butler is leading the Heat with 20.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Bam Adebayo is adding 16.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
Pelicans drop third straight
New Orleans is coming off a 127-123 OT loss at Dallas on Wednesday night. The Pelicans have lost three straight and four of their last five games. New Orleans is now 26-36 on the season, 12-19 at home, 31-29-2 against the spread and 36-26 with the over.
The Pelicans are putting up 116.2 points per game on offense while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Defensively, New Orleans is giving up 117.4 points per game while opponents shoot 46.7 percent against them. The Pelicans remain without JJ Redick due to a hamstring injury. Redick is a veteran leader and averages 14.9 points per game this season. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Zion Williamson is adding 24.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Miami
The Heat are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games following a loss, but 0-4 ATS in their last four home games.
Prediction:
Miami won the first meeting with the Pelicans back in November, but Williamson wasn’t on the floor for that game. The Heat are on a win streak, but they have lost their last three road games to the Cavs, Hawks and Jazz. Miami hasn’t been a good road team all season and I think the struggles will continue tonight. Williamson will be a problem for Adebayo in the paint, and the Pelicans have the shooting to put up a big total. The trends for Miami just don’t support going with the Heat.
NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -1.5