NBA Picks: Miami Heat vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Miami Heat at Portland Trail Blazers
Thursday, 1/10/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Miami -3.5
Current Betting Line: Miami -3.5
Opening Total: 196
Current Total: 194.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Portland Trail Blazers have won eight consecutive games at the Rose Garden

Miami has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, as it looks to bounce back from an 87-77 loss to the Indiana Pacers as two-point road favorites, while going UNDER the total in three consecutive contests. The Heat have had trouble on the boards over the last five games, which could be a major problem versus a team that ranks fifth in the league in averaging 15.3 second-chance points per game. The team is 7-7 on the road this season, including a 4-2 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Miami is 15-17 ATS as a favorite this season, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread Thursday night.

The Heat have won their last three games in Portland, which is tied for their longest such streak in the series. Miami continues to be led on the offensive end by forward LeBron James, who has scored at least 20 points in the first 33 games this season, while averaging 26.4 points per game on the season. He has averaged 38.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in his last four games against tonight’s foe.

Portland has won three games in a row, including a 125-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic as 6.5-point home favorites last time out, while going OVER the total for a second consecutive contest. The Trail Blazers have won eight straight games at the Rose Garden, as their defense has allowed opponents to average just 91.0 points per game during that stretch. It’s important to note that the road team has won the last five meetings in the series. Portland is 8-11 ATS after three or more consecutive wins since 2010.

The Trail Blazers have never lost four straight home games to the Heat, while they’ve managed to avoid back-to-back losses in this series since 2007. Portland is led on the floor by forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who joins James as the only two NBA players to be averaging at least 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.