Miami at Phoenix
Time: 9 PM ET, Feb 11, 2014
Spread: MIA -4
Total: 210
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Miami Heat are 35-14 and trial the Indiana Pacers by 4 games for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are 15-10 on the road and will travel to take on the Phoenix Suns in a game NBA oddsmakers are favoring the Heat by 4-points.
The Suns have won seven of its past 10 games and are 30-20 on the season. The team ranks 5th in the NBA in scoring (105.1 points per game) and the Suns may be looking for a defender to help strengthen its defense at the trade deadline. The Suns have been linked to Brandon Bass, and if Phoenix is willing to part with one of its four first round picks in this year’s draft, it should be able to add Bass.
The Suns backcourt is largely responsible for the surprising success this season, but Eric Bledsoe has been injured and isn’t due back until another week or so. Goran Dragic has played stellar in his stead, averaging 20.4 points and 6.1 assists on the season.
Gerald Green has established his niche in the NBA as a corner three point shooter and finisher in transition. Green is averaging 13.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Suns have a glut of talent, but will look to add a frontcourt scorer. An attempt had been made by Phoenix to get Zach Randolph, but Memphis rebuffed the offers.
The Heat had a three-game win streak ended by the Utah Jazz on Saturday (Feb 8) night, losing 94-89 to the worst team in the West. LeBron James tied his season low for points (13). Dwyane Wade led the way with 19 points and six rebounds, but the rest of the Heat shot 22-of-54 from the floor. The Heat bench contributed 24 points in the loss.
The Heat do have an Achilles heel: the team ranks dead last in the league in rebounding (36.7 boards per game). It hasn’t seemed to matter much the last two seasons, but exploiting the offensive glass is one of the keys to beating Erik Spoelstra’s team.
MIA Trends: OVER 5-1 in last 6 when opponent allows 100 points or more in previous game; OVER 9-2 in last 11 road games vs teams with home winning percentages greater than .600; OVER 13-3 in last 16 when opponent scores 100 or more in previous game.
PHO Trends: OVER 5-0 in last 5 home games vs teams with winning road records; UNDER 6-1 in last 7 vs teams with winning SU records; OVER 5-1 in last 6 Tuesday games.
Head-to-head: Heat 5-0 ATS in last 5 in Phoenix; Heat 6-1 ATS in last 7 meetings; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 meetings.
