Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Ryan Dodson | Staff Writer

The Miami Heat(30-25) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (34-22) Friday with tip-off from Smoothie King Center set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Heat vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting; Heat won 2-0 last year

It was a profitable Thursday, including crushing a +210 parlay, as we went 6-0 in the NBA wagers. Let's keep that momentum rolling with a sneaky good matchup.

The Heat swept a back-to-back before the All-Star break, taking down Philadelphia 109-104 and Milwaukee 123-97. They take a short flight up to NOLA to take on the surging Pels. F Jimmy Butler took an extended vacation as he hasn't played since Feb. 7 due to personal reasons. In that game, he posted a triple-double with 17 points, 11 boards and 11 dimes. He has gone for 15+ points in 13 straight games.

The Pels kicked off the 2nd half with a 127-105 beatdown of the Houston Rockets Thursday night. G CJ McCollum went for 28 points, F Zion Williamson went for 27 points and 9 assists and C Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 14 boards. F Brandon Ingram sat out with a non-COVID illness, and he's questionable for this game. His availability could sway things -- so keep tabs on that leading up to tip-off. New Orleans has won 4 straight games and 8 of 9.

Heat at Pelicans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:17 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Heat +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Pelicans -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Heat +3.5 (-110) | Pelicans -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Heat at Pelicans key injuries

Heat

G Tyler Herro (ankle) questionable
G Josh Richardson (shoulder) out
G Terry Rozier (knee) out

Pelicans

G Dyson Daniels (knee) out
F Brandon Ingram (illness) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Heat at Pelicans and predictions

Prediction

Pelicans 124, Heat 110

Moneyline

I'm a little surprised to see the Pelicans weighted as such favorites with Ingram questionable and on the 2nd game of a back-to-back. Williamson just began playing in back-to-backs this season, and he has fared well on the back half. He had 27 points and 5 boards in 29 minutes Dec. 2 against the Chicago Bulls and 27 points and 6 assists in 28 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves in said situations.

I'm not interested in the Pelicans at -160, but let's put together another winner of a parlay. Take the PELICANS + ZION WILLIAMSON 18 POINTS + ZION WILLIAMSON 4 ASSISTS (+125).

He has 4+ assists in 7 straight.

Against the spread

I look for Ingram to suit up Friday, which gives me confidence in the spread here. If he doesn't, though, we're screaming "Abort!!!" from the rooftops.

The Heat are 27th in the league with 110.6 PPG, and I don't think they can keep up offensively. Take the PELICANS -3.5 (-110).

Over/Under

Expounding upon Miami's chilly offense, they're just 2-8 O/U over the last 10, and they've witnessed 4 straight Unders cash. This take is more about the Pelicans' firepower, though, as they've scored 114+ in 6 of 8. They open it up enough for Miami's pedestrian 100 to cash the OVER 219.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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