NBA 2025-2026: Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

Miami Heat

Home Team
83.6%
124.8 pts
VS

New Orleans Pelicans

Away Team
16.4%
111.7 pts

Key Prediction Insights

The Miami Heat are predicted to emerge victorious against the New Orleans Pelicans with a high probability of 83.6%. The expected scoreline stands at 124.8 for Miami and 111.7 for New Orleans. Miami's anticipated starting lineup features Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, and Bam Adebayo. For the Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears, Bryce McGowens, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Derik Queen are expected to take the court as starters.

Game Analysis

The Miami Heat have shown mixed performance in their last three games, securing wins against the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets but falling short against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their victory over the Nuggets was particularly impressive, with a high-scoring affair of 147-123. The Heat's starting lineup is bolstered by solid offensive ratings, with Tyler Herro leading the charge with an impressive 123.7. Norman Powell is another key contributor, averaging 24.1 points per game, which could be pivotal against New Orleans. The New Orleans Pelicans, on the other hand, are on a challenging streak, having lost their last three encounters against the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks. Zion Williamson remains a powerhouse for the Pelicans, with an offensive rating of 123.6 and an average of 23.35 points per game. However, their overall defensive ratings suggest vulnerabilities, particularly Jeremiah Fears with a 122.4 defensive rating, which could be exploited by Miami’s strong offensive lineup.

Final Prediction

The Miami Heat's edge in this matchup stems from their superior offensive capabilities and recent high-scoring performances. A key factor to watch will be the ability of Miami's guards to penetrate the Pelicans' defense, which has struggled recently. Keep an eye on Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, as their contributions could be decisive in maintaining Miami's predicted dominance.