NBA Pick – Granger’s Pacers host Wade’s Heat

The Miami Heat (25-19 SU, 21-21-2 ATS, 22-22 O/U) have won three straight games in the BetOnline Sportsbook, covering the spread each time for my beloved BetOnline NBA betting enthusiasts.

The Indiana Pacers (18-28 SU, 25-20-1 ATS, 28-17 O/U) have won three of its last four, going an identical 3-1 against the spread in those contests.

Tonight, both teams will be looking to stay in the win column when they meet at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Miami is coming off an emphatic 93-71 win over the lowly Washington Wizards on Wednesday, easily covering the spread as 8.5-point home favorites while the game’s combined 164 points went well UNDER the night’s posted O/U total of 191.

Rookie forward Michael Beasley and second-year backup shooting guard Daequan Cook each scored a team-high 16 points while all-star shooting guard Dwyane Wade totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

"Our activity level was consistent pretty much the whole way through," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "That’s what we’re looking for."

"He impacted the game and he only had 14 points," Spoelstra said of Wade.

The Pacers pounded the inconsistent Milwaukee Bucks 107-99 on Wednesday as backup point guard T.J. Ford scored a game-high 34 points to lead the five players in double figure scoring as Indiana covered the spread in the BetOnline Sportsbook as 5.5-point home favorites while the combined score played UNDER the posted O/U total of 213 points.

Jarrett Jack, Mike Dunleavy, and Rasho Nesterovic each netted 14 points for the Pacers in the win.

"I think we’re starting to get a home-court advantage," Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien said.

Playing without all-star forward Danny Granger, the Pacers didn’t miss a beat.

"Knowing that he was out, scoring had to come from somewhere," said Ford. "I just came out and tried to be aggressive."

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami’s last 7 games on the road

Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana’s last 5 games when playing at home against Miami

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana’s last 6 games

NBA Odds

Miami Heat +1½ -110

Indiana Pacers -1½ -110

Over 207 -110

Under 207 -110

Analysis: The Pacers have been a perplexing bunch this season, winning games they likely should not have and inexplicably losing others that looked more than winnable.

Still, I like them to win this game and cover the spread at home tonight against the surprising Heat who have been just mediocre on the road this season.

NBA Free Picks: Indiana -1½ Points/Under 207 Total Points