Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 7 point favorites.

The Heat have a record of 12-16. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -1.2 as they average 107.0 points per game while giving up 108.1 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 15-15 this season. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They average 117.4 points per game and surrender 115.5, good for a point differential of 1.9.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

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

The Miami Heat are 15-12-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 14-16-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/15/18 PG Goran Dragic Knee is doubtful Sunday vs New Orleans
12/14/18 G Dwyane Wade Illness is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/14/18 G E'Twaun Moore Leg is questionable Sunday vs Miami
12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside averages 13.2 points per game in 26.7 minutes per contest. He averages 0.9 assists per contest and 13.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 47%. Josh Richardson comes into this contest averaging 18.5 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 20.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 36.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 8.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game while playing 37.0 minutes per contest. He grabs 12.4 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat allow 108.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they give up 22.0 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league. Miami averages 107.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 47.2 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 14.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 115.5 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest, and 8th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game. New Orleans is 2nd in the league with 117.4 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.7 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 27.2. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per game with 15.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.1, and their defensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Miami is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league. The Pelicans are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 112.1 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans -7

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