After an excruciating first two rounds in the Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers returned to the Eastern Conference finals and showed great aplomb in Game 1, dealing the Miami Heat a 107-96 defeat. Roy Hibbert, who is listed as among the keys in our Heat-Pacers’ series prediction article, played a big role in the game. Will he come out swinging again in Game 2, or will the Heat find an answer to control him and cover -2.5?
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[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Finals, Game 2 Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 18, Miami 96 Indiana 107
Game 2 – May 20, 8:30 PM ET, Miami (-2.5) at Indiana (+2.5); total: 184.5– view all NBA lines
Game 3 – May 24, 8:30 PM ET, Indiana at Miami
Game 4 – May 26, 8:30 PM ET, Indiana at Miami
Game 5 (if necessary) – 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 Miami Heat
[sc:NBA240banner ]Dwyane Wade (27 points on 12-for-18 shooting) had a big game on Sunday, while running mate LeBron James (25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) got his usual MVP-like numbers. As for the rest of the Miami Heat starters, well, suffice it to say that they had underwhelming performances, which proved costly for the defending champions in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers.
While Wade provided ample support for James, Chris Bosh had a tough day with nine points on 33.3% from the field and two rebounds. Bosh’s ability to stretch the floor to force Roy Hibbert out of the paint was nowhere to be seen in Game 1 as he shot 0-for-5 from the three-point distance. He’ll have to sharpen his outside shot if the Heat are to mitigate Hibbert’s impact in this series.
After the Heat allowed the most points in these Playoffs in Game 1 against the supposedly-putrid offense of the Pacers, coach Erik Spoelstra’s team needs to make some defensive adjustments. The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last five games after allowing an opponent to score 100 points. The total has also hit the over in Miami’s last five road games.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
The Pacers controlled the boards, and as a result, they controlled the game. Led by the revitalized Hibbert, Indiana dominated the rebounding battle, 38-29. In Game 2, the Pacers will need to take advantage again of its heft and size to repulse the Heat at home.
Indiana is now 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five games when Miami pays Bankers Life Fieldhouse a visit.
Hibbert scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but more than that, his imposing presence in the post led the Heat to collapse on him, thus opening up opportunities for the Pacers’ shooters, who did not disappoint. Paul George (24 points) and George Hill (15 points) drilled three triples apiece. The Pacers knocked down six threes in the first quarter, allowing them to break the game wide open.
Expect the Pacers to dump the ball again to Hibbert, while their shooters roam the perimeter waiting for the ball in case the Heat double the 7-2 center.
Indiana’s offense, which has been inconsistent to say the least in these Playoffs, was firing on all cylinders in Game 1. All of their starters scored in double figures, while backup guard C.J. Watson came off the bench and contributed 11 points.
Writer’s Prediction
The Heat won’t take the lopsided loss in Game 1 sitting down. Chris Bosh will improve his numbers in Game 2, and the Heat will come up with a better scheme to defend the Pacers’ big men down low. Take the Heat to win straight up and cover as 2.5-point road favorites.
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