2014 Eastern Conference Playoffs Handicapping: Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats – Game 3

Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats
Time: 7 PM ET, Apr 26, 2014
TV: ESPN
Spread: MIA -5.5
Total: 188

Betting odds courtesy of Bovada

The Charlotte Bobcats predictably dropped the first two games of this best of seven series. Wednesday night, the Cats kept it close, falling 101-97.

Now, the series shifts to Charlotte where the Bobcats find itself 5.5 point underdogs to the defending champion Miami Heat.

The Bobcats got a strong performance from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in game two. The second-year swingman from Kentucky hit 9-of-13 from the floor for an efficient 22 points while also snagging 10 boards and dropping two assists.

Kemba Walker struggled with his shot, and it stands to reason that if the combo guard had been able to hit any better than 5-of-18 the Bobcats may have snuck a victory. Walker had 20 points and six assists in game one and he’s averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 assists per game this season.

The Cats managed to keep the ball out of LeBron James’ hands more, but he still hit 11-of-17 from the floor for 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds in game two. Chris Bosh also had an ultra-efficient game on the interior, hitting 8-of-11 from the floor for 20 points. Bosh did a good job on Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, too, as he held the big man to just 18 points on 9-of-23 shooting.

Charlotte will have to come out with better intensity from the tip off, and that shouldn’t be a problem playing at home. The Heat outscored the Bobcats 29-19 in the first period of game two, and it’s important that the Bobcats don’t find itself playing from behind the entire night again. The Bobcats outscored the Heat in the second half of game two 50-44, but were never able to overcome the deficit accrued in the opening period.

MIA Trends: 0-4 ATS in last 4 following SU win; 1-6 ATS in last 7 road games vs teams with winning home records; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 on 2 days rest.