The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers in the first round of their two-game series at AmericanAirlines Arena. With that in mind, it’s time to continue the NBA odds series and make a prediction and pick for the Pacers and the Heat.
The Pacers enter this doubleheader with eight losses in their last 10 games. The team currently ranks 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-22 record.
The Heat, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-19 record and have won eight of their last ten games thanks to the strong performance of Jimmy Butler. But with back-to-back starts against the Pacers, the team is coming off a tough win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Here’s how sports bettors rate the Pacers-Heats opening odds.
Paris NBA : Pacemaker
Indiana Pacers +4.5 (-108)
Miami Heat -4.5 (-112)
More than 215.5 points (-110)
less than 215.5 points (-110)
Why pacemakers can coverProliferation.
Despite the return of Caris LeVert, the Pacers have taken a bad turn for the worse.
The team’s recent scrimmages have not been very offensive, as their top three players, Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis and Leverett, score 21.7, 20.4 and 16.3 points per game, respectively.
The Pacers also got contributions from the rest of the team, with four players averaging more than double digits.
The team’s problem of late has been giving up 124 points to a Kyrie Irving-less Brooklyn Nets squad and 121 points to the Denver Nuggets.
The good news for them is that they are playing against a lesser offensive team, the Heat, who have the sixth worst offensive rating in the NBA. The bad news is that this same Miami team allows the third fewest points in the league and does well against the Pacers.
If the Pacers want to cover the spread, they will need big offensive plays from their star players Brogdon, Sabonis and Lever. Defensively, they will have to work together to slow down Butler.
Why heat can close the gap
After a slow start to the season due to injuries and COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Jimmy Butler and the Heat have managed to pick up some nice wins, including against the top two teams in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.
The most impressive thing about the Heat is their ability to operate on the defensive end of the floor. As previously mentioned, they allow the third fewest points to their opponents, just over 100, which is rare in the NBA right now.
Offensively, their leading ballplayer, Butler, is averaging 21.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists. But the Heat also have six other players in double figures tonight.
After a tough defeat against the Grizzlies, the Heat expect them to come out strong and with plenty of energy. This is a good chance for Miami to take advantage of a slumping Pacers team.
Final pacemaker – Heat prediction and selection
The Pacers have been struggling lately and desperately need some easy wins to gain confidence. Unfortunately for them, they’ll have to contend with a defensive team led by Butler and Bam Adebayo in two games against the Heat.
It will be a very difficult offensive night for Brogdon and Sabonis, who are the Pacers’ leading scorers. Expect the Heat to limit the Pacers’ offense and win by double digits.
HELP: YOU CAN FIND ON THIS PAGE : KCP ANALYSIS, SCORE REPORTING AND FORECASTING : IND 98, MIA 110 (MIA -4.5)
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