NBA Picks: Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat

Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat
Tuesday, 3/20/12, 7:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Miami -11.5
Current Betting Line: Miami -10
Opening Total: 198
Current Total: 198.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade has elevated his play offensively in recent games

Phoenix is enjoying a four-game win streak that includes a 99-86 win over the Houston Rockets as 5.5-point home favorites on Sunday. The Suns have definitely benefited from playing eight of their last 10 games at home, but will now head out on a four-game road trip starting tonight. “The chemistry is coming together,” stated Suns head coach Alvin Gentry. “Guys are feeling pretty comfortable in their roles.” The team is 8-12 on the road this year, including a 4-1 mark versus Eastern Conference squads. Phoenix is 2-3 ATS as a road underdog of 9.5 to 12 points and the “under” is 3-2 in that situation.

The Suns will be facing the new-look Miami Heat for the third time since they added Chris Bosh and LeBron James. Phoenix dropped both of those games, including a 123-96 loss as 8.5-point road underdogs on Nov. 17, 2010. The team is 9-2 since the All-Star break, with only the Chicago Bulls owning a better record (10-2) over that span. Seven of the nine wins since the break have come against teams who entered the night with a better record. It’s also important to note that seven of the nine victories came in games in which the squad trailed by 10 or more points at some point.

Miami has really gotten after it on the defensive end in winning the past two games, allowing just 169 combined points against the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. The Heat are 19-2 at home overall and have captured 13 consecutive wins inside AmericaAirlines Arena. The team is surrendering just 88.6 points during its recent win streak in front of the home fans, while the “under” has gone 6-3-1 in its last 10 games overall. Miami is 2-5 ATS as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points and the “under” is 6-1 in that situation.

The Heat will look to get the ball to Bosh inside the paint, as he combined to score 58 points versus the Suns last year. Miami has registered an impressive 15-2 record when he scores 20 or more points. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade has really upped his offensive performance recently, including a 31-point performance in the team’s 91-81 win over the Orlando Magic as 8.5-point home favorites.