New Orleans Hornets at Miami Heat
Monday, 12/13/10, 7:30 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Miami -9.5
Current Betting Line: Miami -11
Opening Total: 184.5
Current Total: 185
New Orleans opened the season with a hot 11-1 start and has now fallen back down to Earth, including an 88-70 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday. The Hornets managed to score just 23 points in the first half of the contest and have averaged just 89.4 points over their last 11 games. “We kept settling for outside jump shots instead of attacking the basket,” said point guard Chris Paul. “It’s been like that for awhile. We’ve got to figure out ways to score. Many experts are pointing to the fact that the team isn’t creating enough scoring opportunities, tallying just four assists last time out, which is shocking due to Paul averaging 10.0 a game. New Orleans is 11-11 ATS on the season and is currently a double-digit underdog on the NBA lines page.
The Hornets defense continues to be the team’s strength in giving up 93.4 points over the last 11 contests, but that number is up from the 90.4 they allowed in the first 12 games. Tonight marks the final meeting of the season between the two teams, as New Orleans captured a 96-93 home win on November 5, 2010. In that contest, center Emeka Okafor had 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul dished out a season-high 19 assists. The franchise has actually won eight of the last 10 games between the two teams, dating back to January 4, 2006. New Orleans owns a winless 0-3 mark on Mondays this season.
Miami has been firing on all cylinders in capturing eight consecutive victories by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 17.8 points. “We have a different mentality both off the floor and on the court as well,” said guard Dwyane Wade. “We understood and knew November was a tough month for us.” The All-Star guard has been leading the offensive attack by scoring 20 points or more in nine of his last 10 games. He finished with 36 points on 15-of-23 shooting Saturday against the Kings. Forward Chris Bosh has also chipped in on the offensive end, scoring in double figures in each of the Heat’s 25 games. Miami is 5-8 ATS at home this season.
The Heat are now 17-8 overall on the season and have posted a 5-4 mark against the Western Conference. Miami is 32-38 all-time versus New Orleans, including a 20-14 record in games played in South Beach. The eight-game winning streak is the team’s longest of the season and it’s longest streak since winning nine consecutive games from March 20-April 7, 2010. Rebounding has also been a key ingredient to the squad’s recent success, out-rebounding opponents by 14.3 boards a game over the last four contests.
Bettors will be interested in the Hornets 4-0 ATS mark as an underdog of 11.0 points or more, while the Heat are 6-0 ATS as a favorite.
The NBA handicappers at Maddux Sports are off to a flying start and ready to place you in the winner’s circle tonight!
