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The New Orleans Pelicans (42-27) visit the Miami Heat (38-31) Friday. Tip from Kaseya Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pelicans vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Heat lead 1-0
New Orleans snapped a 3-game winning streak with a 121-106 loss to the Orlando Magic Thursday while failing to cover as a 2.5-point road favorite. G Trey Murphy III scored a team-high 21 points off the bench, and 5 total New Orleans players scored in double figures. The Pelicans shot 53.8% from the field in the loss.
Miami got back in the win column with a 107-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday, covering as a 3-point road underdog. F Jimmy Butler had a game-high 30 points and was 1 of 4 Miami players to score in double figures. The Heat shot 45.8% from the field in the win.
In their 1st meeting (Feb. 23), Miami covered as a 2-point underdog in a 106-95 win at New Orleans as the Under (220.5) hit. A 4th-quarter melee resulted in suspensions for players from both teams. Pelicans G Jose Alvardo and F Naji Marshall were suspended for 3 games and 1 game, respectively. Heat C Thomas Bryant served a 3-game suspension, while Butler and F Nikola Jovic were each suspended for 1 game.
Pelicans at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Heat -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +3.5 (-115) | Heat -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 207.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Pelicans at Heat key injuries
Pelicans
(Not yet submitted — below was for Thursday’s game)
- None
Heat
- C Bam Adebayo (back) questionable
- G Tyler Herro (foot) out
- C Kevin Love (heel) out
- G Duncan Robinson (back) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 109, Heat 104
Moneyline
BET PELICANS (+130).
New Orleans has won 7 of its last 10 games, including 4 of its last 5 on the road. It has a 22-14 road record this season and plays a Miami squad that has a 17-15 home record and has lost back-to-back games in South Florida.
The Pelicans have stepped it up defensively of late holding opponents to 107 or fewer points in 7 of their last 9 games, including 3 of their last 4. The Heat have scored 107 or fewer points in 4 of their last 7 games, including 2 of their last 3.
Dealing with crucial injuries is what will hold Miami back from a win Friday night.
Against the spread
PASS.
The odds are better on the Pelicans to win than to cover.
Over/Under
BET OVER 207.5 (-115).
While both teams have struggled hitting the Over recently, with both sporting a 3-7 Over record in their last 10 games, 207.5 is too low of a total to be confident betting the Under.
The Pelicans have scored 106 or more points in 7 of their last 10 games, including 4 of their last 6 while allowing at least 104 in 4 of their last 5.
The Heat have scored 104 or more points in 7 of their last 10 games and have allowed 104 or more in 6 of their last 10.
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