Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
When: Monday, November 7, 2016, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+6) at Oklahoma City Thunder (-6); total: 203.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: FSOK / SUN
Writer’s Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
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Betting on the Miami Heat (+6)
Miami was handed its third loss in four games on Friday night, succumbing to the Raptors, 96-87. Hassan Whiteside tallied another double-double with team-highs of 21 points and 16 boards, while Goran Dragic, contributed 17 points with five boards and five assists.
The Heat had a total of five players finish in double-figures in points, but their defense wasn’t able to stop DeMar DeRozan, the league’s leading scorer (35.8 PPG), to torch them with 34 points. Miami can expect to suffer a similar fate if it can’t find answers in stopping Russell Westbrook in this Monday night’s road trip to Oklahoma City.
Besides that, the Heat haven’t been consistent offensively this season, averaging just 98.6 points. But if they manage to hold the Thunder offense at bay, there’s a fair chance for them to pull off the W in a low-scoring ball game. Miami currently ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring defense (98.2 PPG).
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (-6)
Russell Westbrook had another monstrous night in OKC’s 20-point blowout win over the visiting Timberwolves. He went 9-of-18 from the field, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds and eight assists to give the Thunder their fifth win of the season.
OKC also had four other players score in double-figures. To name some of them, there was Enes Kanter, who tallied 20 points off the bench, and Steven Adams, who posted 14 points with eight rebounds and a pair of blocks. Another balanced attack from OKC will be much-welcomed when the Heat come to town this Monday night.
Miami boasts one of the best defenses this season, and it has a number of young legs that can keep up with the Thunder’s up-tempo style of play. Well, the Heat don’t have someone who can control the likes of Westbrook, so you can expect him to impose his will.
However, Hassan Whiteside’s presence in the middle will force Westbrook and company to take more outside shots. And if they struggle to find their touch, this game will be won at the defensive end, an area where the Heat have the advantage at.
Writer’s Prediction
Another big night from Westbrook gives the Thunder (-6) their sixth win of the season. They don’t cover the spread, though.
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