Pelicans vs. Heat Prediction
Will the Miami Heat cover the point spread as a home underdog tonight when they host the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 p.m. ET?
Who Oddsmakers Like: New Orleans. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Pelicans are 5-point road favorites to beat the Heat, who opened as 4.5-point underdogs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 209.5 points after hitting the board at 210.
Who Public Bettors Like: Miami. As of Saturday afternoon, 64% of betting tickets are on the Heat to cover the spread and over 90% of the money is also on Miami.
Injury Report: For the Pelicans, Tony Allen (knee) is out, as are Alexis Ajinca (knee), Frank Jackson (foot) and Solomon Hill (hamstring). On the other side, Goran Dragic (elbow) is doubtful to play for the Heat and Hassan Whiteside (knee) is out. Justise Winslow (knee) is doubtful, as is Dion Waiters (ankle). James Johnson (ankle) is officially out.
Who We Like: Miami. The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games in Miami and are 0-4 at the betting window in their last four games versus the Heat. The home team is also 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games between these two teams.
New Orleans is also just 1-4 at the betting window in its last five games following a straight up win, is 1-4 against the number in its last five games coming off an ATS win, and is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games versus Southeast opponents.
On the other side, the Heat have covered the spread in 12 of their last 16 games coming off no rest. They’re also 9-4 against the number in their last 13 games played on Saturday and are 4-1 at the betting window in their last five games when opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
SATURDAY NBA PREDICTION: MIAMI HEAT +5