Friday, December 23, 2016

Smoothie King Center

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The Miami Heat travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, December 23, 2016. The Heat come into this game with an overall record of 9-20. They are 5th in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.2 as they are averaging 98.4 points per game while giving up 101.6 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 10-21. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 103.0 points per game and surrendering 107.3, good for a point differential of -4.4.

Hassan Whiteside comes into this contest averaging 18.1 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Heat. He pulls down 14.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is currently at 53%. Goran Dragic averages 19.1 points per game in 34.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.7 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game for Miami. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Jrue Holiday averages 14.9 points per game while playing 30.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 67%. Anthony Davis averages 29.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.2 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Miami averages 98.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 54.9 rebounds per game and 20.5 assists per game which ranks them 5th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 13.1 per game. The Heat allow 101.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 10th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 53.5 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.1 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

New Orleans averages 103 points per game this year which ranks them 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 53 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per contest which ranks them 13th and 8th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 8th with 13.1 per game. The Pelicans allow 107.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 13th and 15th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 56.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 24.8 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the NBA.

The Heat have an offensive rating of 103.3 and a defensive rating of 106.6. In terms of pace they average 94.3 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 48%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 51% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Miami turns the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 103 and they have a defensive rating of 107.3. They get 98 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 49%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 11.8 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 14-15-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 13-16-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 13-17-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 16-15-0 against the over/under

Miami Heat Injuries

12/22/16 PG Goran Dragic Flu probable Thursday vs. LA Lakers
12/22/16 C Hassan Whiteside Chest probable Thursday vs. LA Lakers
12/21/16 G Wayne Ellington Hamstring is downgraded to expected to miss Thursday vs. LA Lakers
12/20/16 G Rodney McGruder Ankle "?" Thursday vs. LA Lakers
11/30/16 G Dion Waiters Groin expected to miss 2-4 weeks
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans

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