New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 15-16. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.1 as they are averaging 110.7 points per game while giving up 111.8 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 16-15. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 99.9 points per game and surrendering 101.8, good for a point differential of -1.9.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-14-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 20-11-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 12-17-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 10-19-2 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/21/17 PG Goran Dragic Elbow is "?" Friday vs Dallas
12/21/17 C Kelly Olynyk Knee injured last game, is probable Friday vs Dallas
12/20/17 F Justise Winslow Knee is "?" Friday vs Dallas
12/17/17 F James Johnson Ankle is out indefinitely
11/30/17 C Hassan Whiteside Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 18 points per game in 37 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.6 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. Demarcus Cousins comes into this contest averaging 26.2 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 12.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 16.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 4.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 77%. Dion Waiters averages 14.7 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 111.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they give up 24.3 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league. New Orleans averages 110.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.16 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 43 rebounds per game and 26.5 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 16.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 101.8 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20 assists allowed per contest, and 14th with 42.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season. Miami is 26th in the league with 99.9 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.94. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game and 23rd in assists per contest with 21.1. The Heat are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 110.6 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 4th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league. New Orleans is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Heat are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 106.2 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 9th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Miami

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