NBA Picks New Orleans Hornets (47-29) vs. Miami Heat (41-36): Both the New Orleans Hornets and the Miami Heat have both clinched playoff berths and secured their spot into this year’s postseason. Nevertheless, neither team has played particularly well as of late, as inconsistencies has been their common denominator.
In tonight’s matchup, the Miami Heat [-4, -170 ML] have been listed as the Sports Odds favorites to win their game against the visiting New Orleans Hornets [+4, +150 ML], this according to NBA Picks oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com. 
Here’s how things stack up in the East: (1) Cleveland Cavaliers, (2) Boston Celtics, (3) Orlando Magic, (4) Atlanta Hawks, (5) Miami Heat, (6) Philadelphia 76ers, (7) Chicago Bulls, and (8) Detroit Pistons.
Things remain tight in the Western Conference: (1) Los Angeles Lakers, (2) Denver Nuggets, (3) San Antonio Spurs, (4) Houston Rockets, (5) Portland Trail Blazers, (6) New Orleans Hornets, (7) Utah Jazz, and (8) Dallas Mavericks.
Byron Scott’s Hornets have split their last 12 games, with 5 of those 6 wins coming against teams already out of the playoff picture. Miami has lost 7 of 12 going into tonight, and none of those victories came against teams above .500. The OVER/UNDER for this, NBA Picks: New Orleans Hornets vs. Miami Heat has been set at a combined total of 190 points.
"We got to come out with much more intensity and a lot more passion than we did," coach Scott said after a 108-94 home loss to Utah. "If we do that then we'll be OK, if not we'll be in trouble."
The Heat is coming off a 118-104 victory over the Wizards, in which 7 players scored in double figures. Both, Yakhouba Diawara and James Jones, who average less than 4 points per game, combined for seven 3-pointers and 29 points. "I love to see James Jones shoot the ball that way," said Wade, who like Jones had three of the Heat's team-record eight 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. "That's going to be really big for us in the playoffs, especially having him and Diawara on the floor at the same time to spread it."
