Time: 8 PM EST
Spread: MIA -6
Total: 205
M/L: MIA -240, SAS +200
Betting Odds from Bookmaker
This matchup between the Spurs and Heat may be a little closer than the six point spread predicted by NBA oddsmakers. San Antonio has only lost one of their 10 games on the road, and they sit at 13-3 overall on the season, while the Heat play host at America Airlines Arena, where they are a perfect 6-0.
What causes oddsmakers to think this will swing in the favor of the Heat?
There is the fact that the Heat have dominated the Spurs in the last two meetings in Miami, and then there is that fella wearing No. 6, who is having yet another dominant season after taking home the MVP award last season. LeBron James put up 30 points against his former team in a 110-108 come-from-behind victory over the Cavs on Saturday night.
In addition to the scoring, he also dished out five assists. Chris Bosh and Ray Allen combined for an additional 40 points, as the Heat closed out the game with a Ray Ray trey with 18.2 seconds to go to take the go-ahead basket down and close out the Cavs.
“It speaks to the competitive will that the guys have at the end of close games,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We have a lot of gamers in that locker room. They rise to the occasion. They want situations like that. That can be dangerous, as well.”
Chris Bosh has played particularly well against the Spurs, and has put up 30 and 33 in the last two meetings against Tim Duncan and company.
Spolestra called Bosh the key to the Heat earlier this year, and he very well may be, when the Heat know what they are getting from Dwyane Wade and LBJ almost every night. Bosh’s consistency could be the key to the Heat repeating as champs this year.
For the Spurs, the story has been the rejuvenation of four-time NBA champion Tim Duncan, who has shown very few signs of slowing down and is having an almost prime-level season this year.
“We’re just playing basketball the way we’ve been playing it,” Duncan said. “Whoever is put in front of us, that’s how we’re playing. We’ve been playing well for a couple of games here and we hope to continue it.”
Spoelstra realizes the Spurs are not an easy team to beat, even at home, and that the Spurs have done “a terrific job on the road, dating back to last season.” Their veteran leadership and team chemistry render them effective whether in San Antonio or any other NBA arena.
