New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat Picks and Prediction for Sunday January 4 2026

By: Eddie Kline Published 01/04/2026, 02:10 AM ET

Pelicans Preview

In Sunday night NBA action, the New Orleans Pelicans will invade the Kaseya Center to battle the Miami Heat. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Pelicans (8-28) are looking to snap a six-game losing streak and own the worst record in the Western Conference. On Friday, New Orleans was outscored by 16 points during the second quarter of a 122-109 home loss versus Portland.

Former number one overall draft pick Zion Williamson led all scorers with 35 points on 15-for-26 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Rookie G Jeremiah Fears added 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Jordan Poole and Karlo Matkovic scored 16 points each for the Pelicans, who fell to 6-16 at home.

Heat Preview

The Miami Heat have split their previous ten games and are tied with Orlando for seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat (19-16) rank third in the league in defensive efficiency and are giving up 117.6 points per contest. On Saturday, Miami turned the ball over 18 times and allowed Minnesota to shoot 54 percent from the field during a 125-115 home loss.

Norman Powell led six Miami players in double figures with 21 points on 6-for-13 from the field. Davion Mitchell scored 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting and dropped six dimes. Bam Adebayo added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Heat, who fell to 12-6 at home.

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Pelicans vs Heat Pick

New Orleans F Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out and F Trey Murphy III (back) is listed as questionable for this game. The Heat are playing at the fastest tempo in the league and the Pelicans rank 11th in that category. Take the over. Final Score Prediction, Miami Heat win 128-121.

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