The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat meet for the third time this season on Wednesday night, and it may be the perfect moment for a surging Brooklyn team to visit South Beach. The Nets are red hot, have beaten the defending champions twice this season, and are coming to Miami just as the Heat have lost three of their last four.
Will Jason Kidd’s Nets team have what it takes to keep the Heat quiet? Read on for everything you need to bet this nationally-televised showdown.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat Betting Preview
Where: American Airlines Arena, Florida
When: Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 7:00PM ET
Line: Brooklyn Nets (+9) at Miami Heat (-9); total 201.0
Betting on the Brooklyn Nets
[sc:NBA240banner ]Slowly but surely, the Brooklyn Nets have rescued their season from utter failure. They moved to just three games behind the Toronto Raptors for the leadership in the Atlantic Division after beating the Raps on Monday, 101- 97, for their sixth win in their last seven. The Nets are also 4-0-1 ATS over the course of their last five games.
Deron Williams and Shaun Livingston anchored the balanced attack of the Nets against Toronto. The two guards scored 18 points each, while Paul Pierce chipped in 15 despite battling an injured shoulder. The Nets are also finding tremendous efficiency with their high-pressure defensive scheme: they have at least nine steals in seven straight games.
Betting on the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat finally broke out of their slump and clinched a playoff spot in the process after beating the Washington Wizards, 99-90. Before upending Washington, the Heat suffered consecutive losses to the Rockets, Spurs, and Bulls, respectively. The South Beach Big Three churned out All-Star performances against the Wizards. LeBron James led the scoring for the Heat with 23 points, while Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade contributed 22 each.
Having ended their overall losing streak, the Heat will be focused on bucking their losing ways against the Nets, who they haven’t beaten in two meetings this season. It should that Brooklyn does not bring a major inside threat. Miami has had troubles in their recent losses containing stars like Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, and Joakim Noah in the paint. Miami is 9-1 SU in its last 10 home games and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five in American Airlines Arena.
Prediction
It’s the Nets’ first time in Miami this season and LeBron James seemed to have his rhythm back. Those two factors will lead the Heat to an emphatic win. Take the Heat to cover -9, then sit back and watch what should be an entertaining game.
