Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 21 February 2012 - Tip Off 7:30pm ET
12:30am (British Standard Time)

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Preview

The Miami Heat (25-7) have quietly been going about their business in recent weeks as everyone else is focused on 'Linsanity', winning 6 games in a row all by double-digits. This run has seen them close the gap to the current Number 1 team in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls, and the Heat could take that spot with a win tonight.

The likes of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have mentioned how few reporters are coming to their practices in recent games, but they also like the fact that that usually means that the Heat are playing very well and are left to their own devices.

It's all about winning the NBA Championship for Miami this season so they don't mind the fact that reporters are taking an interest in other stories in the NBA at the moment and leaving the Heat 'just play Miami... basketball'.

The lack of reporters will change after this game as the next team up on the schedule is the New York Knicks and Jeremy Lin. All of that has led to massive ticket demands and you know the town will be full of journalists ready for that game on Thursday night.

Miami shouldn't have too many problems against the Sacramento Kings (10-21) who have struggled on the road all season with their 3-16 road record. They come into this game having lost all 4 games on their road trip to the Eastern Conference, although they have put in a couple of good performances like the one at Chicago to open this trip.

The Kings have some talented players in their ranks, but they are still a young team and there is the potential that they will be focused on their game at Washington tomorrow night as they are much more likely to win that game.

Head to Head

Sacramento have had a really hard time in Miami in recent seasons- they have lost 9 times in a row at Miami, and those losses have come by an average of 17.8 points per game.

Miami are 19-2 against the spread in their last 21 games in the series against the Kings, and they have won 10 in a row against the spread at home.

Miami are 8-7 against the spread at home this season, Sacramento are 8-11 on the road.

The Heat are 16-15 against the spread as the favourite, Sacramento are 13-15 as the underdog.

Other Interesting Trends

Miami have won their last 6 games against the spread as the favourite.

Sacramento are 1-4-1 against the spread in their last 6 games as the road underdog of more than 11 points.

Prediction

I am going to back the Miami Heat to win and cover the spread for the following reasons:

First, they have dominated Sacramento in recent games in the series and they have won both games since the Big Three got together by at least 20 points.

Second, the Heat are quietly going about their business and have been dominating teams in their last 6 games.

Third, Sacramento can fall apart in games and they may start looking ahead to beating Washington and finishing their road trip with a win if they fall into a big hole early in this one.

The Pick :

Miami Heat 106-85 Sacramento Kings

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back the Miami Heat -13.5 Points @ 2.00