The Miami Heat visit the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Mar. 22 and can be seen on SUN and FSN.
The Pelicans enter this game hoping for similar success after defeating the Clippers 109-105 on Sunday. Dante Cunningham played a key role with 19 points, six rebounds, and two steals. The Heat, meanwhile, are coming off a 122-101 win against the Cavaliers on Saturday. Goran Dragic had a big game and claimed his fourth double-double of the season, registering 18 points and 11 assists.
Ryan Anderson has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Pelicans. During that stretch, he has averaged 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers. The Heat also have their own player combo that has been on a tear in that same time frame. Dragic has averaged 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 three-pointers, while Joe Johnson has put up 18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Heat won the first game 94-88. In the loss, Anthony Davis had a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pelicans come into this game 26-43 Straight Up (SU) and 29-40 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 26-43 SU and 29-40 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. New Orleans has averaged 113.4 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 103.3.
As for their opponent, the Heat have a record of 36-32-1 ATS and 40-29 SU. Miami has records of 40-29 SU and 36-32-1 ATS against the West. During the last 10 games, they averaged 106.5 PPG, above their 99.3 PPG season average. The Heat are shooting lights out so far, with a .467 field-goal percentage that ranks fourth in the NBA. Miami’s defense has allowed an average of 111.3 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 97.9. They average 6.6 blocks per game, good for first in the league.
In their previous meeting this season, Miami beat New Orleans, moving its SU record against the Pelicans to 6-4 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. Additionally, the Heat hold the advantage ATS with a record of 5-4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mia
Notes
On average, Miami puts up 99.3 points per game (ranked 23rd). New Orleans ranks 25th in points allowed per game with 106.4.
Miami scores an average of 96.1 points per away game (ranked 29th), while New Orleans allows 106.2 points per home game (ranked 28th).
At 9-9, the New Orleans Pelicans have split their games when their opponents score fewer than 100 points. The Miami Heat are 15-20 when they don’t reach triple digits.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Pelicans are just 17-34 this season. Miami is a winning 25-9 when it reaches the century mark.
The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 103.8 (ranked 15th). The Heat rank sixth for their defensive rating of 101.8.
The New Orleans Pelicans average 99.5 possessions per game and 1.038 points per possession, while the Miami Heat earn fewer possessions (95.1) but more points per possession (1.044).
The Miami Heat average an effective field goal percentage of 50.5% this season. The New Orleans Pelicans have a poor record of 15-29 when opponents have an EFF% of 50.5% or greater.
On average, New Orleans attempts 24.0 three pointers and Miami attempts 18.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, both have losing records. The Pelicans are 11-20 while the Heat sit at 1-4.
The New Orleans Pelicans, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.71, rank 10th in the NBA. The Miami Heat have a lower A/TO (1.56), ranking 19th.
The Pelicans rank 22nd in rebounds per game with 42.7, while the Heat rank 11th with 44.2 per game.
The Miami Heat rank 22nd in offensive rebounding, while the New Orleans Pelicans rank 17th in defensive rebounding.
Miami has forced an average turnover percentage of 12.8% this season. New Orleans has a losing 11-21 record when its TOV% is 12.8% or higher.
