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The New Orleans Pelicans (5-28) visit the Miami Heat (16-14) on New Year’s Day. Tip-off Wednesday from Kaseya Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; tied 1-1 last season
New Orleans lost 116-113 to the LA Clippers Monday as a 4.5-point underdog. The Pelicans played surprisingly well offensively, shooting 51.2% from the field and 48.9% from deep, but they now have lost 10 consecutive games.
Miami escaped with a 104-100 win over the Houston Rockets Sunday while covering as an 8.5-point road underdog. G Tyler Herro dropped 27 points and 9 dimes as 4 of his teammates also scored in double figures.
G Terry Rozier was handed a 1-game suspension by the NBA Tuesday for a late-game altercation that occurred in Sunday’s win over Houston.
Pelicans at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 9:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +275 (bet $100 to win $275) | Heat -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +8.5 (-110) | Heat -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Pelicans at Heat key injuries
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) doubtful
- F Brandon Ingram (ankle) out
- C/F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (hamsting) out
Heat
- F Nikola Jovic (ankle) available
- G Josh Richardson (heel) out
- F Duncan Robinson (foot) questionable
- G Terry Rozier (suspension) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 110, Pelicans 100
Moneyline
PASS.
Miami is the much better team and will win here as a heavy -350 favorite, but no team is worth the risk of betting on as such a heavy favorite. Pass here and bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET HEAT -8.5 (-110).
Miami has covered the spread in 3 of its last 4 games. It is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games vs. New Orleans, although the Pelicans are 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games against the Heat.
Miami is 14-16 ATS this season while New Orleans is 12-21 ATS.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 220.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in Miami’s last 3 home games and is 3-1 in its last 4 games overall. The Under has also hit in the last 4 matchups between these squads and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
This is a very slight lean as the Over is slightly safer for both teams this season, being 16-14 for the Heat and 17-15-1 for the Pelicans, and also because the Over is 7-3 in New Orleans’ last 10 games.
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