Wednesday, March 15, 2017

American Airlines Arena

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The New Orleans Pelicans head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The opening line for this game has Miami as 6 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 26-40. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.2 as they are averaging 102.9 points per game while giving up 106.1 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 32-35. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 102.3 points per game and surrendering 101.7, good for a point differential of 0.6.

Anthony Davis comes into this game averaging 28.1 points per contest while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this year for the Pelicans. He pulls down 11.8 rebounds per contest and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Demarcus Cousins averages 26.9 points per game in 34.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 10.9 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

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Goran Dragic averages 20.1 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Hassan Whiteside averages 16.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 14.2 rebounds per contest and 0.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 61%.

New Orleans averages 102.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 44 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game which ranks them 12th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Miami averages 102.3 points per game this year which ranks them 24th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.63 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 18th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the NBA. They average 44 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per contest which ranks them 11th and 23rd respectively. In the turnover department the Heat rank 21st with 13.3 per game. The Heat allow 101.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44 rebounds a game which ranks 19th and they give up 19.8 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. The Heat force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 103.8 and a defensive rating of 107. In terms of pace they average 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. New Orleans turns the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Heat rating on offense is 107.1 and they have a defensive rating of 106.4. They get 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. Miami turns the ball over on 12.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.3 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 49%.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 31-33-2 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-37-0 against the over/under

Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 41-26-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 30-37-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/13/17 F Dante Cunningham Illness "?" Tuesday vs. Portland
03/13/17 C Omer Asik Illness is downgraded to expected to miss Tuesday vs. Portland
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Miami Heat Injuries

12/27/16 F Josh McRoberts Foot out indefinitely
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season
03/14/17 PG Goran Dragic Eye missed last game, "?" Wednesday vs. New Orleans
01/04/17 F Justise Winslow Shoulder out for season

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans +6

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