Miami Heat vs. Pelicans of Orleans….

Friday’s game between the Miami Heat (30-25) and the New Orleans Pelicans (34-22) tips off at Smoothie King Center at 8 p.m. ET. Let’s examine the lines surrounding the Heat vs. Pelicans odds at Bet MGM Sportsbook and provide our professional NBA predictions and picks.

Season series: Heat prevailed 2-0 in the previous match.

We were 6-0 on Thursday in the NBA wagers, which included smashing a +210 parlay. Let’s maintain this momentum with a deceptively strong contest.

Before the All-Star break, the Heat defeated Milwaukee 123-97 and Philadelphia 109-104 in a back-to-back. To face the resurgent Pels, they take a quick trip up to New Orleans.

F Jimmy Butler hasn’t played since February 7th for personal reasons, so he took a long break. He finished the game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, recording a triple-double. For 13 games in a row, he has scored 15 or more points.

Thursday night, the Houston Rockets were defeated 127-105 by the Pels to start the second half. F Zion Williamson scored 27 points and dished out nine assists, G CJ McCollum scored 28 points, and C Jonas Valanciunas finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

F Brandon Ingram did not play because to a non-COVID-19 illness, therefore his suitability for this game is in doubt. Watch his availability in the run-up to tip-off, as it may influence events. New Orleans has won 8 of the last 9 games and 4 in a row.

Heat against the Pelicans
supplied by Bet MGM Sportsbook; for a comprehensive list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds website. Last updated at 12:17 PM Eastern Time.

Considering that Ingram is doubtful and that this is the second game in a back-to-back, I’m a little taken aback by the Pelicans’ heavy favored status.

Williamson has performed admirably in the second half of the game since he started playing in back-to-backs this season.

December 2 against the Chicago Bulls, he scored 27 points and grabbed five rebounds in 29 minutes, and December 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored 27 points and disheveled six assists in 28 minutes.

Let’s put together another winning parlay, but I’m not interested in the Pelicans at -160. Consider the following: ZION WILLIAMSON 4 ASSISTS + 18 POINTS FROM THE PELICANS + (+125).