Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets – NBA Playoffs Round 2, Game 4 – May 12, 2014 Betting Preview and Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets were able to avoid going down three games to none on Sunday night and are now looking to capitalize on their newfound confidence by evening the series at home in Game 4.

As we discussed in our series preview, shutting Deron Williams down has been key to this series. The Heat’s pressure shut him down in Game 2, but was exposed in Game 3. Will it continue it Game 4? Create a betting account now and back your own prediction with a wager.
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Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Round 2, Game 4 Betting Preview

Series Scores & Schedule

Game 1 – May 6, Brooklyn 86 – Miami 107

Game 2 – May 8, 7:00 PM ET, Brooklyn 82 – Miami 94

Game 3 – May 10, Miami 90 – Brooklyn 104

Game 4 – May 12, 8:00 PM ET, Miami (-2.5) at Brooklyn (+2.5); total: 188.0 – view all NBA lines

Game 5 – May 14, 7:00 PM ET, Brooklyn at Miami

Game 6 (if necessary) – May 16, Miami at Brooklyn

Game 7 (if necessary) – May 18, Brooklyn at Miami

Betting on the Miami Heat

With Brooklyn defending home court in Game 3, Miami will once again need to deliver the goods in a hostile Barlays Center in Game 4. The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

[sc:NBA240banner ]LeBron took center stage in the first quarter of Game 3 with 16 points but was a non-factor in the 2nd half and finished with only 28 points. Dwyane Wade contributed 20 points and Chris Bosh had 12.

With their offense in tough, defense will be the priority for Miami after Brooklyn found success spreading the floor while dropping 15 3-pointers in Game 3. Mirza Teletovic and Joe Johnson were the ones who fueled the offense as they were 4-7 and 5-7 from beyond the arc respectively.

With the Nets fearless going into Game 4, the Heat will have to lockdown Brooklyn’s shooters if they aim to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Betting on the Brooklyn Nets

It looks like the Brooklyn Nets had a taste of Michael Jordan’s secret stuff from Space Jam on Saturday night.

Aside from the 3 point parade, the Nets were firing on all cylinders, inside and outside. Big man Andray Blatche had playoff career-highs with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Kevin Garnett got involved with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting to go with seven rebounds.

Brooklyn may not have the same luck with 3-pointers come Game 4, but bench production and their big men will have to be consistent if they expect to tie or even win the series.

Deron Williams, who was held scoreless in Game 2, continued to see substantial pressure from Miami’s defense in Game 3, but on Saturday he made an adjustment, passing instead of forcing up shots and finding open teammates. Williams had 11 assists in the win to go with nine points.

The Nets are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Heat will adapt their defense and put the Nets back in their place. Take Miami straight up at a relatively valuable -145.
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