LeBron James and the Miami Heat remain the favorites on the NBA futures at the sportsbooks as they open up the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat knocked out the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the playoffs in five games, dropping the opener of that set and then winning four in a row. The Pacers got past the New York Knicks in the second round, winning that series in six games.
The Pacers will try to spoil to the party on Wednesday; they are 42-39 ATS against the number this season, while the Heat are 46-36 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). Indiana is 39-42 on the totals; Miami is 43-39.
View Indiana vs Miami Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back the visiting Pacers before tip-off in this one found them as 8.5-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook, while the total was sitting at 183.5 at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Heat, currently No. 6 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the Pacers, who rate No. 2 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 104-100 victory for the Heat.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Miami's No. 5-ranked offense, averaging 102.9 PPG, against a Pacers defense that ranks No. 2 at 90.7 PPG. The Heat field goal percentage has averaged 49.6% so far, more than the Pacers shooters have achieved on the year, 43.6% per game.
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Pacers own the league's No. 1-rated mark, allowing 91.6 points per game when playing on the road. Miami, on the other hand, rates No. 4 in scoring on their home court.
Indiana Pacers Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing New York are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Indiana are 7-3
After playing Chicago are 9-1
After a win are 9-1
A few Pacers at Heat trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Miami
Indiana is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games
Miami is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
Miami is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Indiana
Next up:
Indiana at Miami, Friday, May 24
Miami home to Indiana, Friday, May 24
