CJ McCollum makes his debut with the Pels!
The New Orleans Pelicans get a visit from Miami Heat on 11/02/2022 starting at 01:30. The visitors are playing their sixth away game in a row and things have been much better on the road trip recently than they were at the start. After two defeats in Boston and Toronto, the last three away games were played successfully.
New Orleans Pelicans – Statistics & current form
NOLA has been stable lately, just like their upcoming opponent: However, the game schedule has also been merciful recently. So it went twice against the last in the Western Conference from Houston or second to last in the East from Detroit.
In terms of personnel, the hosts’ situation has also changed considerably this week. CJ McCollum, a powerful shooting guard, was signed from the Trail Blazers in Portland. The 30-year-old was named MIP in 2016 and is currently scoring 20.5 points per game.
If he remains at least at this level at the end of the season, he would have averaged more than 20 points per game in a season for the seventh time in a row in the NBA. In addition, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell are included in the trade and will start playing for the Pelicans immediately.
Miami Heat – Statistics & current form
Miami are worried about the deployment of Tyler Herro. The 22-year-old is suffering from a knee injury and already missed the last game in Washington. But Miami, as so often this season, did not let themselves be distracted by personnel worries and prevailed against the Wizards.
Instead, players like Duncan Robinson or Caleb Martin got more playing time and used it with solid performances. Thanks to the success, they were able to maintain their lead over the Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
The visitors will also be relying on Jimmy Butler. In the only duel so far this season with NOLA, “Jimmy Bucket” scored the best output on the court with 31 points and achieved a triple-double with ten rebounds and assists each.
However, his numbers have dipped a bit in January and current February compared to the first three months of the season. Butler is scoring around three points per game less than before.
New Orleans Pelicans – Miami Heat Tip
The Pels have consistently lost the past three duels with the franchise from the Sunshine State. For the clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat, however, the tip aims for a home win or a defeat for the hosts by a maximum of four points in difference.
In the encounter, the powerful shooting guard CJ McCollum, who was signed a few days ago, will play for his new employer for the first time, which is why there is a sense of optimism in the Big Easy.
So far, the season has been a dismal one, as franchise player Zion Williamson has yet to play a single game for the Mississippi team due to a serious injury.
The prediction is also supported by the very good condition of Brandon Ingram. The MIP of 2020 delivered a double-double in two of the past three games. Unibet offers betting odds of 1.97 for the prediction of the clash between the Pelicans and Miami Heat.
