It will be destiny against legacy and rest vs. momentum in Game 1 of the 2014 NBA playoffs as the Brooklyn Nets take on the Miami Heat Eastern Conference semifinals. The burgeoning dynasty that is the Miami Heat is well rested after sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats, while the geriatric Brooklyn Nets had to endure a dramatic and grueling seven game series with the Toronto Raptors. How do you think the second round will go? Answer our survey here.
We’ve already broken down five keys to this series. Below, we dig into the keys to betting on what should be a fascinating Game 1 so that you’re all set to create a betting account and get into the action.
[sc:NBAArticles ]
Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Round 2, Game 1 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 6, 7:00 PM ET Brooklyn (+7) at Miami (-7); total 191.5
Game 2 – May 8, 7:00 PM ET, Brooklyn at Miami
Game 3 – May 10, 8:00 PM ET, Miami at Brooklyn
Game 4 – May 12, 8:00 PM ET, Miami at Brooklyn
Game 5 (if necessary) – May 14, 7:00 PM ET, Brooklyn at Miami
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 16, Miami at Brooklyn
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 18, Brooklyn at Miami
Betting on the Miami Heat:
Experts expected a Miami sweep in Round 1 and the Heat did not disappoint. For the second time in Bobcats history, they are out of the playoffs in the first round without so much as a win to show for their trouble.
That said, the cake walk is over the for the Heat as they meet a Nets team that won all four games against Miami during the regular season series. All four were tightly contested losses, however, and the defending champions are still favored at -330 in this game.
[sc:NBA240banner ] With Brooklyn rolling a healthy line up, the Heat will need a strong effort from Dwyane Wade in this game. During the regular season Wade played in two of the games against the Nets, averaging 21.5 PPG. Spreading the floor against the Nets’ older starters and forcing them to defend a hot-shooting Wade will be a critical element of the Heat attacked.
Speaking of shooting, the Heat should be able to maintain their shooting advantage in this series. Erik Spoelstra’s team leads the league with 50.1% of shots made while Brooklyn averages 45.9%.
The over is 5-2 in Heat’s last seven home games.
Betting on the Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are hoping to silence the critics and prove that age is only a number by beating the Heat just like they did in the regular season series.
Brooklyn would not have made it to this round if not for the heroic efforts of Paul Pierce in Game 7 of their series against the upstart Toronto Raptors. The series was back and forth and would have slipped out of Brooklyn’s hands if not for Pierce’s late block on Kyle Lowry to seal the win.
The Nets, led by the duo of Pierce and Joe Johnson, will need a strong performance from their bench to compete in this series. Mirza Teletovic, a big man who had averaged at least two three-pointers per game during their regular season meetings will have to contribute, and Marcus Thornton, who suddenly put up 17 points in game seven against the Raptors, will need to drop some points as well.
Battered but not broken, Pierce’s match up against James will be another focal point in the series. Pierce is averaging 13.4 PPG compared to LeBron’s 30.0 PPG in these playoffs. Pierce will have to bring all his crafty tools to the table to keep up or at least limit LeBron. After all, to quote the goateed-one himself, that’s why they brought him here.
Nets are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Writer’s Prediction:
With the Toronto series still lingering in the Nets players bodies, Miami will blow past Brooklyn in Game 1. Take the Heat -7.
