San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat
Tuesday, 1/17/12, 7:30 PM EST, TV: SUN
Opening Point Spread: Miami -6
Current Betting Line: Miami -6.5
Opening Total: 202
Current Total: 198
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
San Antonio heads out on a two-game road trip after sweeping a three-game homestand that included an impressive 102-91 win over the Phoenix Suns as 8.5-point home favorites. “It’s been up and down,” commented Spurs forward Tim Duncan about the team’s season thus far. “We’re not at the consistency where we need to be at.” He is shooting just 47.3 percent from the floor this season, but hit 10 of 14 shots versus the Suns last time out. San Antonio is 0-4 ATS on the road this season, while the ‘over’ is 3-1 in those contests.
The Spurs have really been getting it done on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just 89.7 points on 41.7 percent shooting by their opponents over the last three games. San Antonio will need to keep up that intensity on the road, giving up 106.3 points per game in four contests. San Antonio will need point guard Tony Parker to pick up his offensive production, scoring 17 points versus the Suns, as shooting guard Manu Ginobili is still out of the lineup with a broken hand.
Miami will not have shooting guard Dwyane Wade on the floor tonight and will look to snap a three-game losing streak. The Heat are set to play their first home games since Jan. 4, as they just completed a 2-3 road trip. “He needs to get healthy,” commented Heat forward Chris Bosh on Wade’s condition. “That’s the most important thing.” Forward LeBron James will need to continue his strong play in order to turn things around, averaging 29.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Miami is 8-8 ATS when playing with three or more days of rest the last two-plus years.
The Heat are 14-34 all-time versus the Spurs during the regular season, including an even 12-12 mark in games played in South Beach. Miami is averaging a league-high 106.2 points per game and is allowing just 99.3 points per game. The team’s +6.8 point differential is the fourth-best in the league. The home team won by 30 in each meeting a season ago, with Miami capturing a 110-80 win as five-point favorites inside AmericanAirlines Arena.
Bettors will likely back the Heat due to the favorite being 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in this series, while the Spurs are 1-5 ATS as a road underdog of 5 to 10.5 points.
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