Heat vs. Pacers Prediction
Can the Miami Heat go on the road and find a way past the Indiana Pacers when the two meet up tonight at 7PM ET?
565 Miami Heat vs. 566 Indiana Pacers
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
7PM ET – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Pacers are the slim favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -1 point against the Heat. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 209.5 points. The public betting currently has 66 percent going on Indiana as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Heat snap out of offensive funk
Miami is coming off a 122-111 win at home over Portland on Sunday to break out of a slump where the Heat had scored 169 points over two games. The Heat are 26-10 on the season, 9-9 on the road, 21-13-2 against the spread and 21-14-1 with the over.
The Heat are steady on both sides of the ball, as Miami is averaging 111.1 points per game on offense while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from the arc. Defensively, Miami is giving up 107.3 points per game while opponents are shooting 44.1 percent against them. Jimmy Butler is leading Miami this season with 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per contest. Bam Adebayo is adding 15.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest.
Pacers trying to heal up
Indiana is coming off a 115-104 win at Charlotte on Monday, but the Pacers are just 2-4 in their last six as they continue to deal with injuries to marquee players. Indiana is 23-14 on the season, 15-4 at home, 20-16-1 against the spread and 18-18-1 with the over/under total.
The Pacers are led by their defense this year, as they are allowing just 106.2 points per game while holding opponents to 44.2 percent shooting. Offensively, Indiana is putting up 109.5 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. Already without Victor Oladipo this year, Indiana has been without Malcolm Brogdon as of late. He has played just eight minutes since Dec. 22. He is questionable to go tonight due to a back injury. Domantas Sabonis is also battling a knee injury, but is expected to play today. Sabonis is averaging 17.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while Brogdon averages 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Miami
The Heat are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 road games, but 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on two days rest.
Indiana
The Pacers have covered the spread in six of their last eight games as a favorite and they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games.
Prediction:
Miami won the first meeting with Indiana back on Dec. 27, 113-112, but the Pacers have covered the spread in five straight against the Heat. Though Miami was able to put up 122 against the Blazers, Portland is definitely not known for defense. I think the Heat may run into the same offensive struggles it had against Toronto and Orlando when it faces the Pacers tonight. Indiana is a great defensive team and it tends to show itself at home. I will take my chances on the Pacers grinding out another solid win at home today.
NBA Prediction: Indiana Pacers -1