Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/10/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

Where to watch: BSNO, BSSUN

WynnBet: Heat -4.5

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: NL

Heat: 35-20

Pelicans: 22-32

The New Orleans Pelicans appear to be going all-in at the moment, whatever exactly that entails for as long as Zion Williamson is out.

But the Pelicans are not shy in trying to go for it after their acquisition of CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers, and the guard could make his New Orleans debut Thursday against the Miami Heat at home.

With that, I like New Orleans to ride the wave as underdogs in their new star's debut to at least get the cover against the Eastern Conference's best team.

The deal to send Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart and others to get McCollum is not a win-now move. The hope is that the Big Three of McCollum, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is the stepping stone to what's to come for this franchise.

But for as long as Williamson remains out of the starting lineup and the winning culture has yet to arrive, major questions will linger about the legitimacy of the Pelicans. The good news is McCollum and Ingram are tantalizing enough as a duo to provide at least some form of exciting basketball to a team that needs it.

McCollum is also someone the Pelicans can build around as the No. 1 guy. Sure, there's Ingram and Williamson from a marketing perspective, but as the unquestioned leader that is always willing to take the big shot and be the one that will fall on the sword when things go sideways.

Nevertheless, it's going to be weird for McCollum not to be in the same backcourt as Damian Lillard going forward. The prospect of those two playing together for a long time and one day leading Portland to a championship was sometimes a pipe dream, but the situation works out for both parties. Lillard gets to run the show his way in Portland, while McCollum gets the role he's earned.

"On behalf of the Trail Blazers organization, I want to thank CJ McCollum for the integral role he has played in the success of the franchise over the last nine seasons and for his countless acts of service to the Portland community," interim general manager Joe Cronin said in a statement. "CJ has cemented himself in Trail Blazers history with his elite skill level and memorable moments on the court as well as with the work ethic, professionalism and generosity he displays behind the scenes."

Miami is going to pose a tough threat, per usual, but the emotion of this game is going to pay dividends. McCollum may not have the best game, but if the play in Sacramento tonight showed us something with Domantas Sabonis, McCollum will put a jolt in this team. Pelicans by 6

The Heat are 20-8 ATS off two days rest.

The Heat are 15-5 ATS following two straight road games.

The Pelicans are 9-22 ATS after playing a division game, and 0-7 following consecutive division games.

The over is 23-9 when New Orleans wins two consecutive games.

PG: Kyle Lowry

SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo

PG: Devonte' Graham

SG: CJ McCollum
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Herbert Jones
C: Jonas Valanciunas

Heat: Tyler Herro (knee, day-to-day)

Pelicans: Zion Williamson (foot, out), Larry Nance Jr. (knee, out)