NBA Basketball
2012-03-10 - Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Saturday 10 March 2012 - Tip Off 7:30pm ET
12:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Miami Heat (30-9) recently lost a couple of games back to back to lose a little bit of ground on the Chicago Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference, but they will see this as a chance to close that gap as they entertain the Indiana Pacers (23-14).
Miami had been on a great run of form going into the All-Star break and they hadn't seemed to have missed a beat coming out of that weekend. Back to back losses at Utah and the LA Lakers would have shaken some confidence, but they have recovered to win their last 2 games coming into this one. The Heat will also be aware that they have three days off before their next game so they can give this one all the focus it needs.
The Heat are currently riding their longest home winning streak since 2007 and they will look to return to the double-digit wins that have accompanied 11 in a row before the 3 point win over Atlanta last time out.
Indiana come into the game knowing they are very much in a position to enter the Eastern Conference Play Offs, although they do want to prove they are here on merit having lost their last 6 games against teams with winning records. They feel they haven't really performed well enough in games against Miami this season, while also struggling when faced with Chicago and Atlanta earlier this week.
It will be interesting to see how the Pacers approach this game as they have, potentially, a bigger game at Orlando tomorrow night that could really affect their position in the Eastern Conference Play Off ladder.
Head to Head
Miami have won both of their games against Indiana this season, meaning they have won 4 in a row in the series and 8 of the last 9.
The Heat have gone 7-2 against the spread in their last 9 games against the Pacers.
Miami covered the spread in their last home game against Indiana, but they had lost 2 in a row before that.
Miami are 10-9 against the spread at home this season, Indiana are 11-10 on the road.
Miami are 19-19 against the spread as the favourite this season, Indiana are 6-6 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Miami have won all 3 games against the spread as the home favourite of between 6.5 and 9 points.
They are 8-1 against the spread in their last 9 games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
Indiana are 1-3 against the spread in their last 4 games as the road underdog being given between 6.5 and 9 points.
They have lost their last 7 games against the spread when coming in off a straight up loss.
Prediction
I am going to back the Miami Heat to win this game and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, Miami have been dominating teams at home in recent weeks, winning 11 in a row by double-digits before the close one with Atlanta.
Second, the Heat have dominated the Pacers in recent games, especially the two they have played this season.
Third, the Pacers are 1-9 against the spread in their last 10 games when playing the first of back to back nights scheduled. That includes going 0-6 against the spread in their last 6.
Fourth, Indiana don't always get going for the revenge angle as they are 2-4 against the spread against teams that they lost their last home game against.
The Pick :
Miami Heat 106-95 Indiana Pacers
