NBA Saturday Preview – Charlotte vs Miami
Before nba gambling fans turn their attention to other sports betting events this weekend, we have the NBA. It’s time for our weekly Saturday hoops picks for NBA betting action.
NBA betting players are wondering what is wrong with the Los Angeles Lakers, as the defending world champions have lost three in a row, all on the road. However, they’ll return home to the Staples Center on Tuesday to host Toronto, who have also been struggling as of late, but they have their star back now.
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By play this Saturday, a majority of the March Madness Predictions will be in the trash and a lot of us are going to be left scratching our heads. The College game is not the only basketball in action this weekend however, as the NBA has a full schedule of games and little more than a month left to play in the regular season. Playoff spots are at stake and the tensions will be high when two teams fighting for spots in the Eastern Conference will meet up in Miami when the Bobcats face the Heat.
Sportsbook: Charlotte Bobcats (35-32, 6th in Eastern Conference) @ Miami Heat (35-34, 7th in Eastern Conference)
NBA Odds: Spread: Miami -5
Over/Under: 180.5
Money Line: Miami -115, Charlotte +105
Why Miami will win
The Miami Heat are fighting for their playoff lives as the season quickly winds down. Luckily, with the fall from grace of the Bulls and the Raptors, the Heat have been able to somehow finagle their way into the 7th seed for the time being. The Heat are the definition of a one man gang as G Dwayne Wade is the entire reason for this team being in the position they are currently in. Wade has averaged 26.7 points, 6.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.86 steals and just less than a block per game for the Heat and is an elite player in the league. Wade has put this team, without any one else close to being an all-star on it, into the playoff mix almost single handedly.
Miami fell Thursday night to Orlando, but were able to take the 2nd seeded Magic to the brink, eventually fell in OT, 108-102. Wade had 36 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the losing effort. Miami was able to get Dwight Howard in foul trouble early and he was severely limited because of it. Rashard Lewis was able to take full advantage of the undersized Heat with 24 points and 11 boards with 4-8 shooting from three point land. Miami does not face a player with Lewis’ offensive gifts against Charlotte. The Heat, on their home court, can play with anyone, as they showed Thursday.
Why Charlotte will win
The Bobcats are in the midst of a strong late season run going 7-3 in their last ten including a win at home vs. Miami last week, 83-78. Charlotte had been without all-star Gerald Wallace with a sprained ankle in their last three games but was able to defeat the Thunder and the Magic without him, but lost to the Pacers ironically. Wallace is a premier defensive small forward and a great rebounder and has added range to his jump shot. Stepping in the leadership role in his absence was veteran Steven Jackson. Jackson has averaged 23.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5 assists a game over the last five while logging over 40 minutes four times. With Wallace back, he will be able to lighten his load a bit.
With Jackson back, the Bobcats are a mismatch for the Heat as Jackson will likely be able to focus more time on the defensive end against Wade. The Bobcats are a hot team, and better all around that Miami.
5dimes Review: Prediction
Miami and Charlotte currently look comfortable as far as making the playoffs, but each team should have strong concerns going into the playoffs as Wade has very little of a supporting cast, and the Bobcats are lacking skill players at the power forward and center positions. Both spell doom for playoff teams, but in a matchup of two lower seeds, I like this game to come down to the wire, with Dwayne Wade leading his team to victory.
Final: Heat 92 – Bobcats 89. Take Miami -1. (Also check out our March Madness Odds)
