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The Miami Heat enter this matchup riding a modest one-game winning streak and sporting a respectable 16-14 record on the season. Their offense has been clicking, averaging a shade under 115 points per game while shooting a healthy 45.2 percent from the field and just over 37 percent from beyond the arc. The Heat have also shown a penchant for protecting the ball, committing just under 13 turnovers per contest.
Looking at their recent form, Miami has been even better over the last 20 games, winning 12 of those outings while boosting their scoring average to a robust 117.2 points. They've been especially potent over the past 10 games, pouring in nearly 122 points per game on an impressive 46.4 percent shooting. The Heat's recent surge has been fueled by a balanced attack, with their assist numbers hovering around 26 per game during this stretch.
On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled mightily this season, stumbling to a dismal 5-28 record while mired in a 10-game losing skid. Their offensive numbers have been pedestrian at best, averaging just 106.7 points on 44 percent shooting from the field. The Pelicans have also had trouble stopping opponents, surrendering a concerning 117.9 points per game.
New Orleans' woes have persisted across all recent stretches, with their last 20 games yielding just a single victory. During this span, they've managed a meager 107.7 points per game while allowing a whopping 120.5 points on the defensive end. Their three-point shooting has been particularly anemic, hovering around 32.8 percent, while their free-throw percentage sits at a lackluster 73.8 percent.
Based on the numbers, this matchup appears lopsided on paper in favor of the surging Heat. Miami has found its rhythm offensively, while the Pelicans have struggled to gain any traction or consistency. Unless New Orleans can drastically improve its scoring output and defensive intensity, the red-hot Heat should be poised to extend their winning ways and hand the reeling Pelicans yet another frustrating loss.