Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Heat NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Heat on Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 at FTX Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pelicans Heat matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(2-12) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat (9-5)
Date: Wednesday, November 17th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: FTX Arena, Miami, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: Jazz | Heat (Bet Now!) Moneyline is off as of posting
NBA Betting Odds: Heat -8.5
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Wednesday, November 17th, finds the New Orleans Pelicans facing the Miami Heat in their first meeting of the season. Both teams played on Monday with the Pelicans losing to the Wizards while the Heat defeated the Thunder in the final game of their Western road trip.
Last season the clubs played twice last season with the Heat winning both contests. The Heat holds the all-time record with 21 wins in 41 matches.
New Orleans Pelicans
While the positives of getting a second win could provide some confidence for the Pelicans there are numerous issues still to be resolved particularly defensively where they rank 29th.
The offensive woes are less concerning given Brandon Ingram has missed half of the games (seven) and Zion Williamson hasn’t played this season as he recovers from the foot fracture.
As the team was mired in the losing streak it’s a bit curious why Willie Green hasn’t tried a few lineup tweaks to try to resolve some of the Pels’ main problems.
The backcourt for example features Devonte Graham (15.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists 1.4 steals) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15.8 points 4.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals).
On paper, they seem like a logical fit and become more logical with Zion in the rotation, but without him, I wonder if the Pels would be better served to use Tomas Satoransky for his playmaking, length, and to task him with bringing more aggressive defense
That move might give Graham a chance to be the primary on the floor with the reserves as playmaker and scorer.
In the loss to the Wizards, the Pelicans took a first-half lead but weren’t able to maintain the same pressure losing both quarters in the second half and ultimately the game.
Brandon Ingram led the way with 31 points, Josh Hart delivered a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas (16 points, nine rebounds) and Graham (14 points) were the other double-digit scorers.
Miami Heat
The road trip wasn’t kind to the Heat between melees, close losses, and injuries. Already without Jimmy Butler the Heat took another hit Monday with Bam Adebayo joining him on the sidelines.
With both players out the Heat were missing 43.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 3.5 steals.
Fortunately, with the OKC Thunder on tap not having a typical big man wasn’t as costly as it would’ve been against the Nuggets or Jazz. Miami fell behind to the scrappy Thunder youngsters early but buckled down in the second half to take care of business.
Tyler Herro led the way scoring 26 points. Duncan Robinson finally broke through in Utah and kept the hot streak going hitting another five 3-pointers (as did Herro) scoring 21 points.
Kyle Lowry kept everyone locked in on both ends and delivered a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists
Butler (ankle) Adebayo (knee) are questionable. Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo (knee) are out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Heat are 6-4in their last 10 head to head meetings
- The Heat are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 2-8 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Pelicans are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games.
- The total has gone under in 7 of New Orleans’ last 8 games.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat NBA Prediction:
They say the hardest game of a road trip is the first one back at home. While the Pelicans have been showing signs of improvement and this could fall under the trap game category after the 2-3 road trip the Heat won’t take any game for granted.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Heat -8.5
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