– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:44 pm
2016 NBA Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Hornets vs. Heat free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NBA Futures. These two team battled it out all 2nd half for the 3rd spot in the East. With 4 teams in the Mix the Miami Heat snagged the 3rd seed while the Hornets got the short end of the stick finishing in 6th. Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NBA Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
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NBA Betting – Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat First Round Series Preview and Picks
The Miami Heat were always in a playoff spot throughout the 2015-2016 season. It was just their seeding that mattered. Miami fought off 3 different teams to grab the 3rd spot and grab home court for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Their journey wasn’t easy as they had to do it without Chris Bosh.
The Hornets were fighting for a lower spot in the playoffs, but then Kemba Walker came to life. The Hornets jumped the 8th and 7th spots with ease and got themselves into a battle for the 3-6 spots.
Both teams are very similar and not much separates these two.
Who has the advantage?
Let’s break it down.
NBA Championship Lines – 2016 NBA Title Odds from 5Dimes
- Heat 75-1 | Eastern Conference Odds: 12-1
- Hornets 125-1 | Eastern Conference Odds: 25-1
Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Series Prices
- Miami Heat -171
- Charlotte Hornets +125
Hornets vs. Heat Round 1 Series Schedule
- Game 1: Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Sun, TNT.
- Game 2: Wed. April 20 at AmericanAirlines Arena, 7 p.m., Fox Sports Sun, NBA TV
- Game 3: Sat. April 23 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Sun, TNT
- Game 4: Mon. April 25 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, TBA, Fox Sports Sun
- Game 5*: Wed. April 27 at AmericanAirlines Arena, Time TBA, Fox Sports Sun
- Game 6*: Fri. April 29 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, TBA, Fox Sports Sun
- Game 7*: Sun. May 1 at AmericanAirlines Arena, TBA, Fox Sports Sun
* — If necessary. (All times Eastern)
Hornets vs. Heat Free Series Predictions: Guards
The guards position offers a very solid matchup between the two teams.
The Hornets use Courtney Lee and Kemba Walker, two players who have really developed solid team chemistry. The obviously headliner of group. Walker averages 20.9 points per game to go along with 5.2 assists and 4 rebounds per game.
Walker was putting up 25 plus points per game when the Hornets really skyrocketed into the playoff race.
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On the Miami side of things they use Goran Dragic and Dwayne Wade. The Heat get the experience here. Dwayne Wade has rings and has been through just about every playoff scenario possible.
Dwayne Wade as asked to step up a lot this season with the absence of Chris Bosh, the other part of the Heat big 2. Wade’s health and stamina is extremely important here in the postseason as he will need to stay away from injuries.
The Heat just don’t have enough depth behind him to replace his status.
Verdict: This is about as close as you can get. Both Wade and Walker can take over a game and will be asked to do a lot this series.
Hornets vs. Heat Free Series Predictions: Forwards and Center
This is where the Hornets lack a bit. They use Tyler Zeller down low and have Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams around him at the forwards position. Batum will be the biggest key of these three.
He really stepped up down the stretch of the season, complimenting Walker with the scoring. He saw some reduced minutes down the stretch as he has continued to battle an ankle injury.
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The Heat use Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, and Joe Johnson here. This is a giant advantage for Miami here. The combo of Deng and Johnson have both stepped up tremendously this season and picked up the slack on both ends in the absence of Bosh.
Whiteside has become a force down low. Nobody wanted him until the Heat took a chance on him last year. He’s a beast offensively and one of the best shot blockers in the NBA defensively.
Verdict: Huge advantage to the Heat here. They have more experience and talent in both the forward and center position.
Hornets vs. Heat Free Series Predictions:
This will be one of the more entertaining series.
Not much separates these two teams and it will come down to which stars an take over late. Expect a back and forth series here with this one likely going to 6 or 7.
Series Pick: Miami uses home court here to and shut the Hornets down in 7.
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