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Two of the best defensive teams in the NBA meet when the Miami Heat (24-21) take the floor as 3.5-point favorites versus the New Orleans Pelicans (26-18) on January 18, 2023 at Smoothie King Center. The point total is set as 219.5 points in the contest.
How to bet Heat vs. Pelicans
Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 3.5 points, with sportsbooks listing the Heat as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, the Heat have -158 odds to pick up the win, while the Pelicans are listed at +134 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 219.5 points.
Heat vs. Pelicans Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Wednesday, January 18, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: BSNO
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Arena: Smoothie King Center
Heat vs. Pelicans Betting Trends
Against the spread, the Heat are 17-25-3 this year. Miami has come away with 20 wins in the 31 contests it has been listed as the favorite in this season. Heat games this year have gone over the total in 20 out of 44 opportunities (45.5%).
In the Pelicans’ 44 games this year, they have 22 wins against the spread. New Orleans has compiled an 8-11 record in games it was listed as the moneyline underdog (winning 42.1% of those games). Pelicans games this season have eclipsed the over/under 56.8% of the time (25 out of 44 games with a set point total).
Potential Starting Lineups and Key Players
Heat
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Butler | 31 | 22.1 | 6.4 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Bam Adebayo | 40 | 21.4 | 10.1 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Tyler Herro | 33 | 21 | 5.9 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Strus | 43 | 13.1 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 2.7 |
| Kyle Lowry | 36 | 13.1 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 2.2 |
Pelicans
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ McCollum | 39 | 21.3 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 1 | 0.6 | 3 |
| Jonas Valančiūnas | 44 | 14.7 | 9.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Trey Murphy III | 41 | 12.7 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 1 | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| Naji Marshall | 42 | 10.5 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| Herbert Jones | 29 | 10 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
Heat: Kyle Lowry: Probable (Knee), Caleb Martin: Probable (Quadricep), Udonis Haslem: Probable (Achilles), Nikola Jovic: Out (Back), Duncan Robinson: Out (Finger), Omer Yurtseven: Out (Ankle)
Pelicans: Herbert Jones: Out (Back), Zion Williamson: Out (Hamstring), EJ Liddell: Out (Knee), Brandon Ingram: Out (Toe)
What you need to know about the Miami Heat
Because of Miami’s offensive struggles this season, ranking worst in the NBA with 108.9 points per game, it has had to count on its defense, which ranks second-best in the league by surrendering 108.8 points per game. Offensively the Heat have played better at home this season, posting 109.7 points per game, compared to 108.1 per game in away games. The Heat have seen an uptick in scoring recently, putting up 111.3 points per game in their last 10 contests, 2.4 points more than the 108.9 they’ve scored this year.
Miami is sinking 12.1 treys per game (13th-ranked in NBA) this year, while sporting a 33.8% three-point percentage (25th-ranked). So far this season, the Heat have taken 58.7% two-pointers, accounting for 69.2% of the team’s buckets. They have shot 41.3% threes (30.8% of the team’s baskets).
What you need to know about the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans scores 117 points per game and give up 113.3, making them seventh in the league on offense and 15th defensively. The Pelicans average 117 points per game at home, and the same number on the road. The Pelicans are putting up 114.2 points per contest over their previous 10 games, which is 2.8 fewer points than their average for the season (117).
At 11.2 made 3-pointers per game and shooting 36.5% from beyond the arc, New Orleans is 22nd and 11th in the league, respectively, in those categories. The Pelicans attempt 65.4% percent of their shots from inside the arc, and 34.6% percent from beyond it. In terms of makes, 73.7% of the Pelicans’ baskets are 2-pointers, and 26.3% are 3-pointers.
Our pick to win this contest is the Pelicans, and we expect that Pelicans will cover the spread (Heat -3.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 219.5 points.
You can bet on Heat vs. Pelicans at every legal online sportsbook. For more NBA odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as NBA prop odds, check out the latest NBA lines as well as our guide to the best NBA betting sites.
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