Pacers vs. Heat Prediction
Will the Miami Heat stay strong at home and cover when they host the Indiana Pacers tonight at 8PM ET?
553 Indiana Pacers vs. 554 Miami Heat
Friday, December 27, 2019
8PM ET – AmericanAirlines Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Heat are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5 points against the Pacers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 213.5 points. The public betting currently is unavailable for this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pacers grind out win
Indiana has won six of its last seven games thanks to a 120-115 OT win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday evening. The Pacers are 21-10 on the season, 7-7 on the road, 17-13-1 against the spread and 17-13-1 with the under.
The Pacers are one of the stronger defensive teams in the league this season, allowing just 105 points per game while opponents shoot 43.7 percent against them. Offensively, Indiana is averaging 109.1 points and 46.8 percent from the field. Malcolm Brogdon is leading the Pacers with 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. However, he is dealing with a hamstring injury that has him questionable to play tonight. Domantas Sabonis is averaging 17.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per contest for Indiana.
Heat with a win streak
Miami is riding a three-game win streak right now following a 107-104 win at home over Utah on Monday night. The Heat are now 22-8 on the season, 13-1 at home, 19-10-1 against the spread and 17-12-1 with the over.
The Heat are putting up 112.5 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the arc. Defensively, Miami is allowing 107.3 points per game while holding opponents to 44.1 percent shooting. Goran Dragic is back from his lengthy injury. He was averaging 16 points and 5.0 assists per game this season. Jimmy Butler is leading the team with 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Kendrick Nunn is adding 16.2 points and 3.6 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Indiana
The Pacers are 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 games as a road underdog and 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a win.
Miami
The Heat are 12-3 against the spread in their last 15 home games and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games as a favorite.
Prediction:
These two haven’t met this season, but the Pacers have won and covered in their last four meetings with the Heat. Despite that, I have to go with Miami tonight. Brogdon is a big piece for the Pacers and won’t be 100 percent, if he plays at all. Miami has the shooting ability to get past the Indiana defense and the Heat should be even stronger offensively with Dragic back in the mix. Miami is rested and ready to make a run toward the second half of the season. I like their roster makeup and think their outside shooting and solid defense will make them a contender.
NBA Prediction: Miami Heat -5