Utah Jazz vs. Miami Heat: NBA Betting Odds and Predictions

Utah Jazz at Miami Heat
Saturday, 12/22/12, 7:30 PM EST, TV: SUN
Opening Point Spread: Miami -9.5
Current Betting Line: Miami -8.5
Opening Total: 201.5
Current Total: 200.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

2010 miami heat betting — The Miami Heat have scored 100 or more points in 12 of their 14 home games this year

Utah has lost three of its last four games, including a 104-84 setback to the Indiana Pacers as 3.5-point road underdogs, while going OVER the total for the first time in five contests. The Jazz are averaging just 86.5 points per game in their last four games, which won’t cut it against one of the NBA’s best offensive teams, especially at AmericanAirlines Arena. “We just need to get back to work,” commented Jazz guard Gordon Hayward. Utah is 0-4 ATS on the road when the total is between 200 and 204.5, which is significant when making your NBA picks against the spread Saturday.

The Jazz are 5-11 on the road this season, but have managed to put together an even 3-3 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents in that situation. Utah earned a 99-98 home win over Miami as 4.5-point underdogs in last season’s only meeting, as it was able to overcome 66 combined points scored by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Miami has won and covered the spread in its last three games, including an impressive 110-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks as 5.5-point road favorites on Thursday, while going OVER the total for the first time in five contests. The Heat have picked up their defensive intensity in the last six games, allowing opponents to score just 89.7 points per game in that span, while limiting them to 39.8 percent shooting during their current win streak. Miami is 1-6 ATS after playing a game as a road favorite this year, while the OVER is 5-2 in that situation.

The Heat are led offensively by James, who is averaging 25.2 points per game. He has managed to score 20-plus in all 23 games this season, while Wade has hit 63.4 percent of his shots from the field in his last five games. Miami has scored 100-plus points in 12 of 14 home games this season, averaging 106.7 points in that span. The franchise has also compiled a dominating 25-4 record in its last 29 games in this calendar month.