Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Heat NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Heat on Friday, December 25, 2020, at the American Airlines 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 Lakers matchup.
2020 NBA Handicapping
(1-0) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat (0-1)
Date: Friday, December 25
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Venue: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans +171 | Heat -185
NBA Betting Odds: Pelicans +4.5 | Heat -4.5
NBA Betting Total: 226
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The opening game of Christmas Day finds the New Orleans Pelicans playing the Miami Heat.
The teams didn’t play last season due to the pandemic but split the series in 2019. New Orleans owns the all-time record with 20 wins in 39 matches.
New Orleans Pelicans
In a repeat of their opening game of 2019-20, the Pelicans were on the road to the Raptors. Albeit this time was significantly different. First, it took place in Tampa Bay, Zion Williamson played, Stan Van Gundy coached and the Pelicans got the victory.
Despite the win, Van Gundy wasn’t happy with much of the contest as the Raptors held an early double-digit lead and forced numerous turnovers.
But for a cold-shooting third quarter by Toronto, the game could easily have gone the other direction.
Williamson took a while to find his footing as the Raptors jumped on him targeting his ball-handling and his defense which resulted in six forced turnovers. Like his squad, he improved in the second half finishing with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Raptors killer, J.J. Redick was stellar scoring 23 points including six triples. Steven Adams came two points shy of scoring in double-digits although the rest of the starters reached that mark.
Brandon Ingram came one rebound shy of a triple-double with 24 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds as well as three steals and a block.
Miami Heat
The Heat lost the battle of Florida falling 113-107 to the Magic. The loss was punctuated by a terrible fourth quarter where Orlando outscored Miami 34-24.
Four of the five Heat starters reached double-digit scoring and Bam Adebayo led the way with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds along with four assists.
Jimmy Butler served up his typical effort with 19 points, seven assists, and three rebounds but punctuated the game with his trademark energy collecting a career-high seven steals.
Goran Dragic scored 20 points off the bench for the Heat while Duncan Robinson (14) and Tyler Herro (13) were the other double-figure scorers.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Under is 9-2 in NO last 11 overall.
- MIA are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 games overall.
- NO are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat NBA Prediction:
Both teams will be seeking to take better care of the ball as they each topped 20 turnovers in their season openers. The Pelicans had 24 turnovers while the Heat had 22.
While the Pelicans got lucky the Raptors went cold in the third quarter they can’t ignore the fact the perimeter attempts were mostly wide-open shots. That could be problematic against the Heat who have arguably an even better 3-point shooting squad.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Heat ATS
Butler will have his squad fired up and ready in order to avoid an 0-2 season start.
While many might assume the key matchup will be Adebayo on Williamson – the more logical defensive assignment will be Bam on Ingram.
Also, after Spo views the film and sees how wide open the Raptors were on the perimeter he’ll have his young charges firing away with wild abandon.
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