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

The Miami Heat won their sixth straight victory in these Playoffs after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1, 107-86, easily covering their -7. Will Game 2 of the series be  a more competitive one, or will there be another blowout? As we discussed in our preview of this series, the Nets beat the Heat all four times they played them this season, so at the very least keeping it close should be in range.

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Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Round 2, Game 2 Betting Preview

Series Scores & Schedule

Game 1 – May 6, Brooklyn 86 Miami 107

Game 2 – May 8, 7:00 PM ET, Brooklyn (+8) at Miami (-8); total: 192.0 – view all NBA lines

Game 3 – May 10, 8:00 PM ET, Miami at Brooklyn

Game 4 – May 12, 8:00 PM ET, Miami at Brooklyn

Game 5 (if necessary) – 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

Eight days of rest did not cool off the Miami Heat as they finally beat the Brooklyn Nets this season.

[sc:NBA240banner ]Still undefeated in these Playoffs, the Heat take aim on winning their seventh game in a row before travelling to Brooklyn for Game 2. Miami is now 3-0 SU in their last three home games. The over is also 3-0 in those contests.

It was a total team effort for the Heat in Game 1. With the Big Three attracting the defense of Brooklyn, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade combined for 11 of Miami’s 22 assists in the game, highlighting the importance of the team’s supporting players in this series. The Heat are second among teams still alive in the Playoffs in assists with 21.2 APG.

The Heat’s ability to knock down three-point shots will be pivotal in this series as the three ball accounts for their lack of a post threat. In Game 1, Ray Allen went 4-7 from the three-point region, largely causing the Nets’ defense to extend. More importantly, it allowed James and company to slash down the middle and rack up 52 huge points in the paint.

Betting on the Brooklyn Nets

The duo that averaged 40.8 PPG against the Heat in the regular season could only muster 23 in Game 1. Paul Pierce (eight points on 3-8 FG) and Joe Johnson (17 points, 7-11 FG) must do better than that in the next game if they plan to return to Brooklyn with the series knotted at one game apiece.

Defense is also another pressing concern the Nets must address in Game 2. Containing the Heat’s big three while keeping Allen and Shane Battier’s shooting in check would be a tremendous headache for coach Jason Kidd, but the Nets don’t have any choice if their stars could not produce on offense.

The Nets got a good game from Deron Williams (17 points on 7-10 FG) but Kevin Garnett, coming off a vintage double-double performance in Game 7 of the series against the Toronto Raptors, went scoreless for the first time in his Playoffs career.

The over is 4-0 in Brooklyn’s last four road games. The Nets are also 3-1 ATS in their last four games overall.

Writer’s Prediction

Game 2 will be more competitive with Pierce and Johnson teaming up to give the Heat a fight. Take the Heat to win again straight up and/or the Nets to cover (+8).
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