New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

At 7:30 ET, the Miami Heat (-376) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+299) in a non-conference matchup. The Heat are favored by 9 points, and the over/under line is set at 221.5.

This game will be played at the Kaseya Center in Miami, and it can be seen on Gulf TV. The Pelicans are currently on a 10-game losing streak and have a record of 5-28. Meanwhile, the Heat are 16-14 and sit 7th in the Eastern Conference.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS MIAMI HEAT BETTING PICK

The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +9

This game will be played at Kaseya Center at 7:30 ET on Wednesday, January 1st.

WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 121-117 in favor of the Pelicans.
• Our projections have Dejounte Murray finishing with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
• From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 44.6% and knocking down 15 threes.

Can the New Orleans Offense Score Enough on the Road?

The Pelicans fell to 5-28 on the season after a 116-113 home loss to the Clippers on Monday. Despite being +4.5 point underdogs, New Orleans kept it close, losing by just three points. The total score of 229 points went over the pre-game line of 218.5 by 10.5 points.

New Orleans went on a 14-0 run, stretching their lead 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 quarter.

CJ McCollum knocked down 8 threes at a 57.1% clip, finishing with 33 points and 4 assists in the Pelicans’ loss to the Clippers. He was especially impactful in the 3rd quarter, scoring 15 points. Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones each added 18 points, with Murphy hitting 4 threes and both players shooting 60% from the field.

The Pelicans connected on 18 threes, shooting 48.6% from deep and 51.2% overall. McCollum hit 6 of his threes in the 3rd quarter, while Jones and Murphy each scored 9 points in the opening period.

Defensively, the Pelicans gave up 116 points to the Clippers, allowing 31 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. They tightened up in the 2nd, giving up 25 points, and allowed 29 in the 4th.

From three-point range, 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. The Pelicans also recorded 13 steals and 5 blocks.

Will the Heat Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?

The Heat improved to 16-14 this season with a 104-100 road win over the Rockets on Sunday. Miami entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win. The total score of 204 points fell short of the 215-point over/under line.

Miami went on a 12-0 run early in the game, 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.

Tyler Herro led the Heat’s offense in their win over the Rockets, scoring 27 points and dishing out 9 assists, shooting 58.8% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 42.9%. Nikola Jovic added 18 points, connecting on 3 threes at 60% efficiency, while Haywood Highsmith contributed 15 points, making 3 threes at 50% shooting.

Miami struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 10 threes at 30.3% efficiency, and shot 44% overall from the field. Herro scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jovic added 5 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

The Heat’s defense came up big in the 4th quarter, holding the Rockets to just 18 points to secure a 104-100 win. Overall, Miami gave up 100 points, with Houston shooting 39% from the field. The Heat allowed 27 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 3rd but limited the Rockets to 23 points in the 2nd.

From beyond the arc, the Heat held the Rockets to 32% shooting, with Houston making 13 threes. The Rockets also went 11/13 from the free-throw line. Miami finished with 37 defensive rebounds, gave up 19 offensive boards, and recorded 6 steals and 3 blocks.