[sc:NBA250 ]A colossal encounter between two of the best teams in the NBA right now is set to take you on a wild roller-coaster ride, when the Miami Heat travel to Texas for a date with the San Antonio Spurs. This marks the final regular-season clash between the two and the Spurs, who won the first meeting, will be looking to complete the season-sweep. Can they do it? Or will the Heat get the last laugh?
Read on below for a complete breakdown of this matchup. And while you’re at it, check out our preview of the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
When: Wednesday, March 23 2016, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+12) vs. San Antonio Spurs (-12); total: 196.5– view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast(s): SUN, FSSW, C+D
Betting on the Miami Heat (41-29)
[sc:NBA250 ]With a win over the Pelicans last night, the Miami Heat took sole possession of the No. 1 spot in the South Division. But it’s too early to say if they’ll be able to hold onto it, as the Hawks are only a half-game behind them. And so, a win for the Heat in this matchup with the San Antonio Spurs is going to be a crucial one.
Lately, points haven’t been hard to come by for the Heat. They’ve managed to put up a 100 or more points in their previous 11 games and it’ll be interesting to see if they can stay hot opposite the Spurs, who are allowing a league-low of 92.3 points this season.
Expect Dwyane Wade to continue leading the attack as always. The three-time NBA champion heads into AT&T center having scored 19 or more points in three of his previous four games. That stretch includes his 25-point and 7-rebound effort in the win over New Orleans. Wade has also played pretty well opposite San Antonio with averages of 22.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.6 dimes through 18 career matches.
Meanwhile, Goran Dragic is worth keeping an eye on for this game as well. The former Suns point guard has been very efficient with his shot selections and decision-making overall. Across 11 games this month, Dragic is posting 17.7 points and 7.9 assists.
As for the defense, look to Hassan Whiteside, the NBA’s leading shot-blocker (3.7 BPG), to prevent any easy buckets near the paint. He should also be able to make his presence known on offense, as he’s scored in double-digits over his last nine games. Whiteside is contributing 17.4 points and 12.9 boards during that span.
Miami is 7-3 SU and ATS in its previous 10 games on the road.
Create a betting account now and cash in on all the NBA regular season action.
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (59-11)
San Antonio marches into this game coming off a rare loss to Charlotte on Monday night, 91-88. That setback ended the Spurs’ six-game run and handed them their 11th loss off the season. But a return trip home might just be more than enough to help the five-time NBA champions get back on track against the visiting Miami Heat tonight.
The Spurs have been undefeated at home this season with a 35-0 record. In that stretch, they’ve managed to hold opponents below their usual averages by allowing just 90.5 points per contest, the lowest in the league. This defensive tenacity was on full display in their impressive victory over Golden State on Saturday night, during which Stephen Curry and co. were held to a season-low of 79 points.
On offense, the Spurs can be almost just as deadly. They’re averaging 104.3 points per game and the pair of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge has led the way for them. Both are putting up 20.8 and 17.9 points respectively this season.
Aldridge, in particular, should prove to be the biggest thorn for the opposition later, as the former Trail Blazers big man posted a game-high of 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting during the first meeting with Miami on February 9 at AmericanAirlines Arena. And also, Aldridge’s played well in this matchup, tallying 20.6 points and 8.1 rebounds across 16 career games.
San Antonio is 11-9 ATS in its previous 20 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio (-12) stays undefeated at home with 102-94 victory over the Heat.
Create a betting account now and put your NBA predictions to the test!
[sc:NBA620 ]
