A showdown between the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat kicks off what should be an entertaining five-game Christmas Day slate.
The defending Eastern Conference-champion Heat are smarting after dropping their season-opening game to the Magic in Orlando, while the Pelicans are on a high after opening their season with a victory in Tampa over the relocated Toronto Raptors. Despite the disparate results, the Heat come in as comfortable favourites.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Miami is a 4.5-point favourite in its first home game of the season following an incredible run to the 2020 NBA Finals. Only 53 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are siding with the home team, thanks in part to an impressive Pelicans showing in their season opener. The teams split a pair of meetings last season, with the home team prevailing both times. Miami has won three of the past four encounters, with the losing side averaging just 98.8 points in those games.
The total for the Christmas Day kickoff is set at 224.5, with a slight majority (54 percent) leaning toward the Over. That runs counter to the prevailing trend between the teams, with each of their previous four meetings falling below the number. In fact, none of those games produced more than 214 points. The Pelicans have cashed the Under nine times in their last 11 games dating back to last season, while Miami is 11-1 O/U in its previous 12 December games.
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson might have struggled with his shot in the season opener, but his 15-point performance still has him in rarefied air. Williamson has scored 555 points through his first 25 career NBA games, just one point shy of Allen Iverson’s NBA record. And you can expect even more scoring barrages from Williamson this season, with new Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy likely to give the former No. 1 overall pick more playing time per game.
Miami Heat
We could be in for another entertaining season from Jimmy Butler, at least if his first game of the season is any indication. Butler did a little bit of everything against Orlando, finishing with 19 points, seven assists and a career-high seven steals to go along with six turnovers. Butler established himself as a star with an incredible postseason run 2 ½ months ago, and is expected to carry the bulk of the offensive load this season alongside big man Bam Adebayo.
NBA Predictions: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 23 Dec 5:33pm | NO | -5 -110 | O +228 -108 |
| Closing 25 Dec 5:16pm | NO | -3 -110 | O +221 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Naji Marshall (PF)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Brandon Ingram (SF)
Steven Adams (C)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded. |
|||||
| Naji Marshall (PF) | Prob Fri | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | out for season | Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Brandon Ingram (SF) | out for season | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | out for season | Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 | 9-4 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Ques Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 15 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Kendrick Nunn (PG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Thurs | Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Tues | Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 02 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets. |
|||||
| Nemanja Bjelica (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Dec 5:33pm NO -5 -110 O +228 -108 Closing 25 Dec 5:16pm NO -3 -110 O +221 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21Naji Marshall (PF)
Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Wes Iwundu (SF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21Brandon Ingram (SF)
out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes James Johnson (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF) Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG) out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF) out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C) out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG) Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 4-3 2-5 + - Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 8-3 3-8 + - Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 8-4 3-9 + - Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 9-4 4-9 + - Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goran Dragic (PG) Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Kendrick Nunn (PG) Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21 8-4 8-4 + - Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.