Miami Heat vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Saturday, 12/28/13, 10:05 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Portland -5
Current Betting Line: Portland -5
Opening Total: 206
Current Total: 207
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Miami had won six games in a row until Friday night’s 108-103 overtime road defeat to the Sacramento Kings, while going OVER the betting total of 208. The Heat suffered a setback against a Western Conference foe for the first time in 20 games, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks Saturday night. The team may play this game without leading scorer LeBron James, as he’s averaging 30.4 points in his last 18 games in this series, but he strained his right groin last night. Miami is 8-5 SU and 7-6 ATS on the road this season.
The Heat split their two meetings with the Trail Blazers during the 2012-13 campaign, with each team winning on its home court, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Miami’s current 22-7 SU overall record is its best start to a season in franchise history. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade will need to put together a huge performance in this affair—after sitting out in Sacramento in the front end of a back-to-back situation.
Portland has won seven of its last eight games, including a 116-112 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night, while going OVER the betting total for the ninth time in 10 contests. The Trail Blazers have all five starters averaging 9.6 points or more per game, with forward LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way at 23.4. He totaled 32 points, 10 rebounds and four assists last time out. Five of the last seven meetings in this series have been decided by nine or fewer points. Portland is 8-9 SU and 7-10 ATS versus Southeast division opponents the last two-plus seasons.
The Trail Blazers have alternated wins and losses in their last seven meetings against the Heat, including all five since James and Chris Bosh joined Wade in South Beach. Portland point guard Damian Lillard had 33 points on 10-of-18 shooting in the most recent meeting against Miami—a 117-104 road loss Feb. 12.
Sports bettors will likely back the Heat due to their 7-1 ATS mark in their last eight games on zero days rest.
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