Powered by the hot shooting of 2013 Finals hero Ray Allen, the Miami Heat overcame a 15-point deficit in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat can take one more huge step toward another Finals appearance by taking Game 4 at home, where they are still unbeaten in the playoffs.
We overlooked Allen in our series preview, but he showed in Game 3 just how his shooting can turn a game – and a series – in an instant. Turn your fortunes around just as fast by creating a betting account today and ride Miami all the way to the Finals.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4 Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 18, Miami 96 at Indiana 107
Game 2 – May 20, Miami 87 at Indiana 83
Game 3 – May 24, Indiana 86 at Miami 99
Game 4 – May 26, 8:30 PM ET, Indiana (+6) at Miami (-6); total 183.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 5 – May 28, 8:30 PM ET, Miami at Indiana
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 30, 8:30 PM ET, Indiana at Miami
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 1, 8:30 PM ET, Miami at Indiana
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
If the Pacers go on to lose this series, failing to steal Game 3 in Miami after going up by as much as 15 points will be a big reason why. But the Pacers aren’t dead yet, and could still reclaim homecourt advantage by taking Game 4.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Indiana’s defense is holding opponents to just 86.9 PPG on 40% shooting on the road in the playoffs, which has helped them to a 5-2 SU/ATS record in seven road games.
On offense, Roy Hibbert (15.7 PPG, 8 RPG in the series) looks like a completely different player than the one who struggled in the previous rounds, as the big man has consistently punished the smaller Heat defenders inside.
However Paul George (17 points on 5-for-13 shooting) is probably still feeling the effects of the concussion he suffered in Game 2. George was ineffective in Game 3, while Lance Stephenson (10 points) was less of an offensive force than he was in the first two games. The Pacers will need one or both of their stars to supply some much needed offense in an all-important Game 4.
Betting on the Miami Heat
Miami’s decision to give Dwyane Wade that much-needed rest is paying off for the Heat in this series. Through the first three games, a fresher-looking Wade is averaging 24.3 PPG on a scorching 62% shooting to form a tremendous one-two punch with LeBron James (24.3 PPG on 58% from the field).
It’s been more of a Dynamic Duo than a Big Three for Miami so far as Chris Bosh (27 total points in three games) has yet to get into the series. But the Pacers are giving him open looks, especially from beyond the arc, and the Chris Bosh that hit over 45% from three in the first two rounds is bound to appear to start knocking those down in one of these games.
Speaking of three-point shooting, Ray Allen was the catalyst of the Heat’s Game 3 comeback, going 4-for-4 from downtown in the fourth quarter. If he and Norris Cole combine for 25 points off the bench like they did in Game 3, Miami will be very hard to stop.
The Heat can take a huge step toward another trip to the Finals with another big home win tonight. Miami is 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS in their last five home games vs. Indiana.
Writer’s Prediction
George and Stephenson have better offensive games as the Pacers push the Heat all the way to the end. Take Indiana to cover +6.5 in Game 4 on the road.
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