Heat vs. Pelicans Picks & Prediction

I don't see ace coach Erik Spoelstra and his Heat going into the All Star break with consecutive losses to the Pelicans and Jazz. But that would be the case if Miami were to lose this game following its, 115-111, home loss to Utah this past Monday.

The Heat are down several rotation players, Norman Powell and Pelle Larsson, but still are more talented than the Pelicans.

New Orleans is 15-40 and rank 21st in scoring and 28th defensively. Miami is 28-27 and rank fourth in scoring and 21st defensively.

The Heat have dominated this series winning 10 of the past 11 meetings. This includes a 125-106 beating of the Pelicans on Jan. 4.

While the Heat are anxious to put past their embarrassing loss to the tanking Jazz, the Pelicans are fat and happy following their largest victory margin this season beating the hapless Kings, 120-94, at home two days ago. (Editor's note: Stephen Nover has three premium NBA plays today headed by his NBA Total of the Year in addition to this free selection, looking to go 8-2 this month on his NBA premium plays.)

3* on Heat