Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat – NBA Betting Preview – April 9, 2014

After yet another loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, the Miami Heat look to get back on the winning track tonight in Memphis. To do that, they will have to take down a Grizzlies team that is scavenging for as many wins as possible in order to stay in the postseason race.
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Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview

When: Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 8:00PM EST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee

Line: Miami Heat (+4) at Memphis Grizzlies (-4); total 183.5 – view these lines

Betting on the Miami Heat

[sc:NBA240banner ]This will be the 16th game this season the Heat play on no rest. Though the Heat are 10-5 SU in the second game of back-to-backs, they will most likely have to deal with the Grizzlies without Dwyane Wade, who has missed seven straight games – Miami is 5-2 ATS during this period.

Wade played the last time Miami beat Memphis, 91-86, scoring 14 points in 33 minutes. The team’s leading scorer in that game was Ray Allen, who contributed 18 off the bench. If Wade doesn’t play, Coach Erik Spoelstra will need Allen to step up again.

Furthermore, Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen will have to do a better job of containing Zach Randolph, who registered 25 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists the last time the teams met.

Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies

If not for Marc Gasol’s injury that sidelined him for more than a month, Memphis would probably be higher in the standings than they are now. That said, the Grizzlies haven’t looked like a playoff team lately, going 2-8 ATS and 5-5 SU in their last 10 games.

The Grizzlies have been better offensively when playing at home this season, putting up 97.8 PPG at the FedEx Forum vs. 93.3 PPG on the road. The Heat have shot just 48.9% from the field in road games this season, which is close to three points lower than their average shooting percentage at home, 51.6%.

The Grizzlies are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 home games vs. the Heat.

Prediction

The Heat are coming off a grueling game against Brooklyn and have been historically bad in Memphis. Expect the Grizzlies to continue their dominance over the Heat at home by covering the spread.
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