The Indiana Pacers are suddenly back in the driver’s seat for the no. 1 seed in the East after a rare road win coupled with a sudden Miami Heat swoon. The two Eastern Conference heavyweights now clash tonight in South Beach with homecourt advantage very much on the line.
Read on for everything you need to get into this game and bet on the NBA in our world-class sportsbook.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat Betting Preview
When: Friday, April 11, 2014, 8:00PM EST
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami
Line: Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat – view lines here
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
Indiana head coach Frank Vogel’s bold decision to rest all five starters against the Milwaukee Bucks worked, as the Pacers finally snapped a six-game road losing streak with a 104-102 win. Luis Scola scored a season-high 24 points and Evan Turner added 23, his highest point total since joining the Pacers.
The anemic Pacers offense topped 100 points for just the fourth time since March 1st, although they have all come against four of the eight worst teams in the NBA – the Celtics, Pistons, Sixers and Bucks. Also worryingly, their league-best defense has surrendered over 100 points in four of the last five games.
The Pacers starters – including Paul George, who delivered a team-high 23 points in the Pacers’ 84-83 home win over the Heat back in March 26 – will have five days’ rest ahead of their pivotal game against Miami. Indiana is just 3-7 SU in their last 10 games. Moreover, the total has gone over in four straight Pacer games.
Betting on the Miami Heat
Two straight defeats have knocked the Heat out of the no. 1 seed in the East. Miami lost to the Brooklyn Nets 88-87 at home after a blocked LeBron James dunk attempt, and fell 107-102 to the Memphis Grizzlies on the second night of a back-to-back.
The loss to Brooklyn was the Heat’s second home loss in three games. They also fell by one point in a 122-121 overtime loss to the Timberwolves last Friday.
James scored 37 more points on 61% shooting in the loss to Memphis. Without the aid of Dwyane Wade, James is averaging over 31 PPG on 56% shooting in his last six games. Wade will likely miss his 9th straight game as he tries to rest his injured hamstring.
The final third of the Big Three, Chris Bosh, is averaging just 15 PPG in the last eight games and has topped 20 points only once in his last 13 games.
The Heat are 8-2 SU in their last 10 home games against the Pacers.
Prediction
The Heat suddenly look vulnerable at home. Even with LeBron playing at close to optimum efficiency, the lack of help is keeping opponents in the game. Expect another close battle, which will allow the well-rested Pacers to at least cover on the road.
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