The Miami Heat travel to the Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans on February 11, 2026, in an important interconference matchup before the All-Star break. Both teams are coming into this game with different season trajectories. While Miami are pushing for a strong playoff position, New Orleans are struggling near the bottom of the standings and looking to build momentum for the remainder of the season.
The Pelicans have the advantage of playing at home and are slight favorites, but recent head-to-head results and overall consistency give Miami a strong chance. With both teams missing key players and relying heavily on their core stars, this contest is expected to be competitive and possibly high-scoring. The performance of Zion Williamson and Bam Adebayo could play a decisive role in the final outcome.
Match Details
| Match | New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat |
|---|---|
| Date | February 11, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET (6:30 AM IST, Feb 12) |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans |
| Live Streaming | FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, NBA League Pass |
Team Standings
| Team | Record | Conference Position | Home/Road Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | 15–40 | 14th West | 9–19 at home |
| Miami Heat | 28–27 | 8th East | 12–16 on road |
Miami hold a much better record this season, while the Pelicans have struggled with consistency and injuries.
Recent Form & Last Games
New Orleans Pelicans (Last Results)
- Beat Sacramento Kings (120–94)
- Beat Minnesota Timberwolves (119–115)
- Lost to Milwaukee Bucks (141–137)
- Lost to Charlotte Hornets (102–95)
- Lost to Philadelphia 76ers (124–114)
Miami Heat (Last Results)
- Lost to Utah Jazz (111–115)
- Beat Washington Wizards (132–101)
- Lost to Boston Celtics (98–96)
- Lost to Atlanta Hawks (127–115)
- Beat Chicago Bulls (134–91)
Both teams have been inconsistent recently, but Miami have shown better overall balance.
Also see: Most Points in a Single NBA Quarter
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 37 |
| Miami Wins | 23 |
| Pelicans Wins | 14 |
| Last Meeting | Heat won 125–106 (Jan 2026) |
| Recent Trend | Heat won 4 of last 5 |
Miami have dominated recent matchups and hold a clear historical advantage.
Team Comparison
| Category | Pelicans | Heat |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | Around 117 | Around 119 |
| Points Allowed | Bottom-tier defense | More balanced defense |
| Playing Style | Fast offense, weak defense | Balanced, experienced lineup |
The Pelicans rank among the weaker defensive teams, which could be exploited by Miami’s offense.
Injury Report (Latest)
New Orleans Pelicans
- Dejounte Murray – Out
- Multiple two-way/G-League absences
Miami Heat
- Tyler Herro – Out
- Norman Powell – Out
- Pelle Larsson – Out
- Andrew Wiggins – Out
- Terry Rozier – Out (suspension)
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but Miami’s depth remains stronger.
Key Players to Watch
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Season Impact |
|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 21.5 PPG, strong inside scoring (58% FG) |
| Trey Murphy III | 22.2 PPG, team’s leading scorer |
| CJ McCollum | Reliable perimeter scoring |
| Saddiq Bey | Shooting and rebounding support |
Zion has also been improving as a passer and could impact the game with playmaking.
Miami Heat
| Player | Season Impact |
|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | 18+ PPG, strong rebounding and defense |
| Jimmy Butler | All-around leadership when available |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Playmaking and assists |
| Supporting Cast | Balanced scoring despite injuries |
Miami rely on teamwork and defensive structure rather than individual scoring alone.
Odds & Betting Lines
| Market | Line |
|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans -1.5 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans -115 / Heat -105 |
| Over/Under | 231.5 |
With both teams capable of scoring, the total line suggests a high-scoring contest.
Best Picks for Today
- Moneyline: Miami Heat
- Spread: Heat +1.5
- Total: Over 231.5
Player Props to Watch
- Zion Williamson Over 3.5 assists
- Bam Adebayo Double-Double
- Trey Murphy III Over three-pointers
Miami have covered the spread well as underdogs, especially in close games.
Match Prediction
The Pelicans have home advantage, but their poor season form and defensive issues remain a concern. Miami’s experience, stronger head-to-head record, and better overall structure give them a slight edge.
Predicted Score:
Miami Heat 120 – 116 New Orleans Pelicans
This game is expected to be competitive, but Miami look more reliable despite playing away from home. The Heat’s defensive discipline and strong recent record against the Pelicans make them the safer pick. If Zion delivers a big performance, New Orleans could push the game close, but overall momentum and experience favor Miami to secure a key win before the All-Star break.
