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Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Picks & NBA Preview

Miami vs Indiana NBA Hoops Handicapping

The defending champion  Miami Heat roll into Indianapolis on Tuesday looking to extend their current three-game winning streak against the Pacers who have dropped two of their last four. [ad-4468020]

Date/Time: 7 PM  ET, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013
Venue:  Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Broadcast: NBA-TV
Spread: -3.5 Indiana
Over/Under: 190.5
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Miami (16-5) has been playing with authority, and after its 10-game win streak was snapped by the Pistons to open December play, the Heat followed up a two-game losing skid with two straight wins.

LeBron James poured in 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Ray Allen added 18 points, as the visiting Heat beat Detroit, 110-95 on Sunday to end its four-game winning streak.

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Chris Bosh also pitched in, racking up 16 points and nine boards for the Heat.

Miami never trailed in the game, jumping out to a 12-2 lead on six straight points from Allen who was making a rare start in place of star guard Dwyane Wade, who sat out for a second straight game with sore knees. He is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup in Indiana.

Defensively, Miami, who shot 64.7 percent before the break, struggled, and barely held off a surging Pistons unit that closed within two at one point in the second quarter and shot 50 percent in the first half.

However, the Heat pulled it together in the second half,  as Allen and James, who has scored in double figures in 516 consecutive games, combined for 15 points in the third quarter as Miani outscored the Pistons 32-17, and held on for the win.

Meanwhile, the Pacers (18-3), who have only lost two of its last 10 outings, fell 118-94 on the road in Oklahoma on Sunday, one day after winning in San Antonio.
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Kevin Durant rolled up a whopping 36 points and 10 rebounds and Russell Westbrook recorded 26 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, as host Oklahoma City, crushed Indiana.

The Pacers, who came into the game leading the NBA in scoring defense, allowed the Thunder to shoot 61 percent from the field.

That poor defensive effort led to a miserable night, as the Pacers fell behind early and already trailed 56-37 at the half.

Matt’s Prediction:

The 118 points the Pacers allowed to OKC were their most allowed this season.

In their defense, the game at the Thunder was the final of a five-game road stanza that saw Indy face four of the top five teams in the Western Conference.  Nevertheless, they have allowed their last five opponents to hit 100 points after giving up that many just once in their first 16 games.

The Thunder also snatched a 46-29 advantage on the glass, a place where the Heat do well.

This will be a close one, with both teams coming in off a rest.

The Heat showed in Detroit they can get it done without one of their best three starters. And if Wade is fit to play, I expect this one to go to the visitors.

Miami 106, Indiana 98 

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!