Two of the Eastern Conference’s more enigmatic ball clubs early into this season will square off this Friday night when the Indiana Pacers take on the Miami Heat in Indianapolis. It will be the second game of a back-to-back homestand for the Pacers in as many days, and the second-straight road game for the Heat.
With neither team able to break out of their respective middling play just yet, which of them will be able to capitalize on the opportunity to turn another victory into the beginning of an actual solid winning streak? Let’s take a closer look at this upcoming showdown below.
For more coverage on the NBA’s Friday night slate, check out our previews for Lakers vs. Nets and Raptors vs. Magic right after this.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Preview
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
When: Friday, November 6, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (-1) at Indiana Pacers (+1); total: 197.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Miami Heat
Goodbye, headaches! Well, at least for one day, that is.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Miami Heat put on a clinical defensive performance in the 96-84 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. South Beach’s favorite son Dwyane Wade finished with 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting to go with five rebounds and three steals – just two days removed from a migraine he had in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The only thing sick about Wade right now is his shooting stroke, and by “sick”, we mean that strictly in its slang form. The 12-year Heat stalwart has now scored 20 or more points in each game this season, and he’s only one of six players to accomplish this feat so far.
Wade didn’t work alone in the victory, as all five Miami starters scored in double-digits. Together, the team’s starting five outscored Minnesota’s own starters 81-29.
Much of the credit can be attributed to the Heat’s terrific defensive effort. The team held the Wolves to just 35 percent shooting on the floor, and is currently seventh in the league in points allowed (95.8 points per game). In particular, Hasaan Whiteside (12 points, nine rebounds) patrolled the paint really well with his four blocks in the game.
With a trip to the burgeoning Pacers up next, Miami’s D has got to be locked in once again to gain some much-needed momentum, as the Heat have yet to string consecutive wins this season. However, it’s best to be forewarned that Miami has lost eight of the last contests played in Indiana (3-7 ATS).
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Betting on the Indiana Pacers
With back-to-back wins following three-straight losses to start the season, the Indiana Pacers look to have righted their ship for the time being.
Indiana’s marquee superstar in Paul George had his best-game to date in his renewed campaign, scoring 26 points (5-for-11 from three-point range) and grabbing 10 rebounds in the 100-98 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday. It was also George’s second double-double of the season.
The Pacers’ starting big men also did well in crashing the boards. Apart from George, Lavoy Allen and Jordan Hill – who started in place of the injured C.J. Miles for the second-straight game – each had over 10 rebounds against the Celtics.
This two-game win streak of Indiana better lead to more quality victories after their dismal three-game losing stretch to kick-off the season. Right now, the team is averaging exactly 100 points both made and allowed per contest. Could the insertion of Hill in the starting lineup prove to be the better option than Miles was in head coach Frank Vogel’s initial plans for the team to go small-ball?
We’ll certainly find out more behind this development this Friday night against the Heat in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the total has gone under in all six of Indiana’s last home games that were played in the month of November.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami (-1) finally notches back-to-back victories with a 96-89 win over the Pacers.
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