The Miami Heat head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans in a non-conference matchup. The Pelicans are favored by 3 and have a record of 34-22, while the Heat are 8th in the East and have won 2 straight.

This game will tip off at 8:00 ET and can be seen on BSNO. The over/under line for this game is 222.5.

MIAMI HEAT VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Miami Heat +3

This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, February 23rd.

WHY BET THE MIAMI HEAT:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 125-111 in favor of the Heat.
  • Our projections have Jimmy Butler finishing with Jimmy Butler points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Heat finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.9% and knocking down 13 threes.

Is a Win at New Orleans Possible for the Heat?

The Heat are 8th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-25. In the Southeast Division, they are in 2nd place. On the road, Miami is 15-12 this season.

This season, the Heat have an average scoring differential of +0.3 points per game on the road. As the underdog, their scoring differential is -2.5 points per game.

Miami has covered the spread in five straight games and has an ATS record of 25-27 for the season. On the road, they are 13-11 ATS.

Miami’s O/U record for the season is 21-34, and the under has hit in their last four games. On average, their games have finished with 221 points.

In their last game, the Heat defeated the 76ers by a score of 109-104. Miami was a 2.5-point underdog going into the game, and the O/U line was 226.

For the season, Miami is 8-15 as the underdog and has gone 8-15 ATS in those games. Today, they are getting 3 points against the Pelicans.

Heading into tonight’s game, the Heat are 27th in the NBA in scoring at 110.6 points per game. On the road, they are averaging 108.0 points per game.

So far this season, Miami has outscored the NBA scoring average in just 34.5% of their games. In terms of pace, they are 28th in the league at 96.3 possessions per game.

When it comes to shooting, the Heat are 24th in field goal percentage at 46%. From two-point range, they are 27th in the league at 52%.

Not only do the Heat’s overall defensive numbers look good, as they are 4th in the league in points allowed. Miami has also been playing well on defense of late, ranking 13th in the league over their last three games at 103.7 PPG allowed. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Heat defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 55.6% while allowing 36.6% from downtown.

Is It the Pelicans Game to Lose at Home?

At 27-29, the Pelicans have gone over the O/U line in 2 straight games and have an average scoring total of 228.7 points per game this season. Today’s O/U line is set at 222.5.

New Orleans’ last game vs. the Rockets had an O/U line of 227, and the teams combined for 232 points. The Pelicans won the game by a score of 127-105.

In the Western Conference, the Pelicans are currently 5th with a record of 34-22. In the Southwest Division, they are in 1st place.

New Orleans has an ATS record of 31-25 this season, going 16-11 ATS at home and 15-14 ATS on the road. They have covered the spread in 3 straight games as the underdog.

As the favorite, the Pelicans are 21-11 this season and are favored by 3 points against the Heat. In their last 4 games, they have been the favorite and have won all 4 games.

At home this season, the Pelicans have been a top-12 scoring team, averaging 118.0 points per game. Overall, they are 14th in the league in scoring at 116.6 points per game. In terms of pace, they are 19th in the NBA.

When it comes to shooting, New Orleans has been one of the most efficient teams in the league. They are 9th in field goal percentage (48%) and 10th in true shooting percentage. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 9th in percentage but just 23rd in three-point attempts.

So far, the Pelicans have outscored the NBA scoring average in 53.6% of their games. In their last two games, they have scored more than their season average. In terms of assists, they are 11th in the league.

Coming into the game, the Pelicans defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 35.7% of their games. Currently, they are 8th in the NBA at 112.1 points per game allowed. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Pelicans defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 55.8% while allowing 34.5% from downtown.