The Indiana Pacers fended off the Miami Heat at home in a wild Game 5 on Wednesday, 93-90, and will now travel to Miami to play in yet another elimination game.
In our series preview, we predicted that the Pacers will lose in Game 7, but can they even force one? Create a betting account now and read more about the next game below.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6 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, Indiana 90 at Miami 102
Game 5 – May 28, Miami 90 at Indiana 93
Game 6– May 30, 8:30 PM ET, Indiana (+7) at Miami (-7); total 183.5 – view all NBA lines
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 1, 8:30 PM ET, Miami at Indiana
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
With Paul George catching fire, the Indiana Pacers guaranteed themselves at least another game this season. They will go to South Beach carrying a 6-4 ATS record in their last 10 road games. They have won six of their last 10 road games, but lost Games 3 and 4 in Miami in this series.
[sc:NBA240banner ]George scored a game-high 37 points, including 21 points in the fourth quarter, to bail the Pacers out of a season-ending loss. But aside from George, there were the other starters like David West (19 points, seven rebounds) and Lance Stephenson (12 points, five assists) who responded to coach Franck Vogel’s plead to play aggressive.
West took advantage of the absence of the Heat’s Chris Andersen and muscled his way inside for 10 points in the paint. Roy Hibbert bounced back from a zero-point Game 4 performance with a double-double output of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The Pacers dominated Miami inside, outscoring the defending champions in the paint by a wide margin, 42-22.
The Pacers’ front line has to have that much of an impact in Game 6 or more. If they do, then Indiana may suddenly find itself at home playing in a Game 7.
Betting on the Miami Heat
LeBron James scored only seven points in Game 5, as he was saddled with early foul trouble, but the Heat are heading back home encouraged by the thought that they remained competitive despite limited minutes from the four-time MVP.
With James playing sporadically, Chris Bosh (20 points, 10 rebounds), Dwyane Wade (18 points, seven assists), and Ray Allen (15 points) teamed up with surprise performer Rashard Lewis (18 points) to give the Pacers a hard time carving out a victory. Miami will be very difficult to stop in Game 6 if Lewis and Allen can even come close to their combined 33 points in Game 5.
Aside from Bosh and Wade, Lewis and Allen kept the Heat in the game with their three-point shooting. Miami shot 15-for-31 (45.3%) from the three point region, with Lewis going 6-for-9 and Allen knocking down three of his six three-point attempts off the bench. Bosh, on the other hand, should focus on getting his points from around the rim. Bosh went 2-for-7 in Game 5 to bring his series total to an ugly 7-for-24 clip from beyond the arc, including missing a possible series winner with time running out.
Miami will have another shot at closing the series at home, where they are undefeated so far in these Playoffs. They are 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Indiana will deal the Heat their first home loss in these Playoffs. Take the Pacers to win straight up at a juicy +260. At that price, a $50 bet would pay $130 if the Pacers come through with the win.
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