Tip off: 8 PM EST
Spread: MIA -2
Total: 182
M/L: MIA -135, IND +115
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these NBA betting odds
Game five was a disaster for the Indiana Pacers. They put three players in double figures — barely. Paul George led the way…with 11 points…on 3 of 9 shooting. You’re not going to win many games when that is your best performer. Indiana was down by 9 at the half, and never got any closer, getting outscored 27-17 in the third quarter, as LeBron James assaulted them, on his way to his game high 30 points.
Dwyane Wade did his part, too. Wade contributed 28 points, hitting 10 of 17 from the floor, while LBJ was 12 of 19 himself. The Heat shot an absurd 61.4% from the floor, even getting 35 points from their up until now quiet bench. Heck, even the offensively deficient Joel Anthony managed 7 points, which is about 3 times his season average. Mario Chalmers grabbed 11 rebounds. So many things went right for the Heat, and they find themselves only two point favorites in a close out game? Doesn’t seem quite right.
Granted, the Heat are on the road, but they are also a very good road team, and if they have a night like last, the total should easily exceed the 182 set tonight by NBA oddsmakers, as the teams combined for 198 points last game, even with the Pacers mustering a pathetic 83 points.
What needs to change for the Pacers to win this game? Simply, everything. They need more from their entire starting lineup, and Danny Granger (3 of 6 from the floor) was the only player to even shoot 50% from the floor in game 5. Paul George is going to have to continue to do a job on Wade, a better job, and Danny Granger will have to find some way to slow LeBron James.
Does that sound like a long shot? Yeah, I thought so too.
Heat Betting Trends:
Miami is 38-37 ATS this year and 37-33 ATS as a favorite. They are 16-21 ATS on the road and 11-11 ATS vs Central Division opponents. They are 6-3 ATS in playoff games. The total has gone UNDER in 29 of the 74 games this season and UNDER in 16 of the 35 road games. It has gone OVER in all 4 of the games this season in which the total was set between 180 and 184.5
Pacers Betting Trends:
Indiana is 37-39 ATS this season and 16-13 ATS as an underdog. They are 13-14 ATS vs Southeast division opponents and 20-20 ATS vs teams with winning records. The total has gone OVER in 38 of the 74 games this season and it has gone UNDER in 2 of the 5 games in which Indiana was a home favorite of 3 points or less. It has gone OVER In 23 of the 36 games in which they were revenging a loss against an opponent.
