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Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat Betting Odds & Free Pick

Indiana vs Miami NBA Picks

The Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers are ready for round 2. Last week, the Pacers got the better of the Heat in Indiana and the Heat will look for a little revenge in Miami this go around. [ad-4468020]

Indiana Pacers (20-4) @ Miami Heat (18-6)
When: Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Broadcast: ESPN
Odds: Heat -4
Over/Under: 190
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview

The thing about this game, though, is the Miami Heat may not have LeBron James. James is questionable with a sprained ankle. Obviously, if James doesn’t play that’s a pretty big deal. He’s a game time decision.

The Miami Heat are scoring 103.7 points per game which is 6th in the NBA. The Heat are number 1 in Field Goals hitting 51.1 percent, and the Heat are 5th in the three pointers, but the Heat are still last in rebounds. The Heat are weak inside and just aren’t big enough to pull down the rebounds.

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As a whole, the Heat are good defensively. They are 6th in the NBA in points per game at 96 points and their field goal percentage is 44.3. But, again, not pulling down rebounds is a huge key. The rebound margin for the Heat is -4.12 which is 2nd worst in the NBA.

This is their achilles heel and a team like the Pacers could take advantage of this when the NBA games get really important.
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Speaking of the Indiana Pacers, the Pacers struggle offensively. That’s their achilles heel. They are the best defensive team in the NBA. They give up only 90 points per game, they allow only 41.2% of Field Goals, he Pacers only allow 34.07 percent of 3 pointers, they are 3rd in blocks and their rebound margin is on the plus side at 2.92.

They’re great defensively, but going back to their offensive struggles, the Pacers only average 97.7 points per game which is 20th in the league. They don’t get many assists as well. They only get 20 assists per game, which is 18th in the NBA, the Pacers are 11th in Field Goals at 45.3%, and they hit 36.3% of their 3 pointers.

Since both teams met each other, the Pacers have struggled a bit. Granted, it’s only two games, but it’s worth considering. The Pacers struggled to win versus the Charlotte Bobcats, and they ended up losing versus the Detroit Pistons at home. The Miami Heat, meanwhile, have disposed of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz at home.

Some stats to consider: Going back to last year, Heat and Pacer games have gone under in their last four games. In this game, I’d expect another low scoring affair. The Heat will, more than likely, be without LeBron James, and the Pacers are a fantastic defensive team.

In the last five games, the Miami Heat are 4-1 at home straight up. But, my is 2-3 ATS at home versus the Pacers. Not only that, but in the last 10 games, the home team has won straight up in 8 of those.

So, going by the latest trends expecting a low scoring game, with the Heat coming out on top – and depending on the spread – the Pacers may end up covering, though.

Score: Miami Heat 90 – Indiana Pacers 88