The Miami Heat were the only higher seed in the first round of the NBA playoffs to win their first two games and maintain home court advantage, as the 2013-2014 postseason demonstrates the current parity in the league. Will the in-form LeBron James and crew keep chugging along in Charlotte for Game 3 against a Bobcats team that has shown its resilience at moments in the first two games?
The NBA’s first round of the playoffs is heating up. Create a betting account and start building your bankroll amidst the best basketball of the year with help from our betting preview below.
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Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Bobcats Round 1, Game 3 Betting Preview
Series Schedule & Results
Game 1 – April 20, Charlotte 88 Miami 99
Game 2 – April 23, Charlotte 97 Miami 101
Game 3 – April 26, 7:00 PM ET, Miami (-5.5) at Charlotte (+5.5); total 188.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 4 – April 28, 7:00 PM ET, Miami at Charlotte
Game 5 (if necessary) – April 30, Charlotte at Miami
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 2, Miami at Charlotte
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 4, Charlotte at Miami
Betting on the Miami Heat
LeBron James just can’t stop scoring against the Charlotte Bobcats. After averaging close to 38 PPG on 63% shooting against the ‘Cats in the regular season, LeBron has now dropped 59 points on 58% from the field through two games in this series.
LeBron even had help from the other two members of the Big Three. Chris Bosh finally broke out of his recent slump to score 20 points on 8-11 shooting with four threes, while Dwyane Wade had a solid 15 points.
[sc:NBA240banner ]But even with all three playing well, the Heat still couldn’t close out the ‘Cats in the fourth quarter. And despite limiting Charlotte to just 42% shooting, the Heat failed to clean up the defensive glass which helped the Bobcats get up 21 more shots.
Still, if the Heat keep forcing the Bobcats to turn the ball over as effectively as they are – Charlotte has 30 turnovers in two games, which Miami has turned into 47 points – the rebounding issues may not slow Miami.
The Heat are 7-0 SU/6-1 ATS in their last seven road games vs. the Bobcats.
Betting on the Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats have been competitive in both games thus far, and were within one possession of the Heat with seconds remaining in Game 2, but they ultimately fell short and lost, 101-97.
Despite a painful foot injury, Al Jefferson still showed that he can play effectively. Big Al had 18 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2, although he shot just 39% from the field.
Both Jefferson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (22 points, 10 rebounds) dominated the glass for the Bobcats, especially on the offensive end. The two combined for eight of the team’s 15 offensive boards, which kept them in the game despite shooting just 42%.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s offensive eruption was a welcome surprise, but the Bobcats shouldn’t expect this type of production moving forward; he averaged just 7 PPG this year and 8 PPG in his career. Instead, they may look to find Kemba Walker (18 PPG but shooting just 33% in the series) more efficient looks at the basket.
Walker played much better at home (19 PPG on 41% shooting) during the regular season, as do the Bobcats. Charlotte is 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bobcats have come close in both games, but they finally go all the way to win at home, with Kemba Walker having a breakout game as the Bobcats cover +5.5.
