The Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers will battle for a berth in the NBA Finals on Monday night as the two teams meet in the deciding Game 7 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals.
Indiana forced Game 7 on Saturday night with a 91-77 victory as a 3-point home underdog on the NBA betting lines at the sportsbooks. Paul George led the Pacers with 28 points in that win, while LeBron James was good for 29 points for the Heat.
Miami is just 2-5 ATS in their past 7 home games and the over is 4-1 in the past 5 here in Miami.
“As has been the case in all of Miami’s home games in this series, the public are taking the 7 points with the Pacers and the over is once again a popular bet taking 75% of the money as of this morning,” said Kevin Bradley, sportsbook manager at Sportsbook.
Supporters of the Pacers have seen them go 49-32 and 42-39 ATS so far this season, while the Heat are at 66-16 and 46-36 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). In totals betting, the Heat are 43-39, while the Pacers are 39-42.
View Indiana vs Miami Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Heat as 7.5-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest. The total was listed earler at 181, but may be on the move at Sportsbook and other top sites.
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.
Last time out for Miami, they were a 91-77 loser as they battled the Pacers on the road. The Heat failed to cover in the match as a 3-point favorite, while 168 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Miami got 29 points from LeBron James en route to a 91-77 loss against Indiana on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Indiana Pacers Trends:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
After playing Miami are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
After playing Indiana are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1
A few Pacers at Heat trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 8 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games on the road
Miami is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
Miami is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
