On Tuesday (May 31, 2011) the Dallas Mavericks travel to Florida to meet the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. After three rounds of the NBA Playoffs, this final series decides pro basketball’s champion in a rematch of the 2006 Finals. Broadcast live at 9:00 ET on ABC. Free picks and betting news on the game:
Dallas Mavericks: No team in the playoffs, even the Miami Heat, have been as impressive as the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks look and feel like a team of destiny. F Dirk Nowitzki has transformed himself into an All Time great during his postseason run. Nowitzki is averaging an amazing 28.4 PPG while shooting better than 51% from the field during the playoffs. Nowitzki is also shooting better than 51% from the 3 point line, as well as 92.9% from the charity stripe. Dallas is 69-28 SU and 56-38-3 ATS overall this season. The Mavericks are 33-15 SU and 32-16 ATS in road games played this season. Dallas is 9-3 ATS as a road underdog between 3.5 and 6 points this year. The Mavericks are an amazing 13-2 ATS during their playoff run this year.
Dallas won both meetings against the Heat this season, but both games came before Christmas. The Mavericks would like nothing more than to avenge an NBA Finals loss to the Heat in 2006. The Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games. Dallas is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 3 or more days rest. The Mavericks are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. Dallas is 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall. The Mavericks are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games as a road underdog. Dallas is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The Mavericks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against the Eastern Conference. Dallas is 40-19-1 ATS in their last 60 games following a SU win. The Mavericks are 41-20-2 ATS in their last 63 road games.
Mavs Injuries: F Caron Butler (knee) is doubtful.
Miami Heat: (-4.5, O/U 187.5) Despite all the negative talk all season long, the Miami Heat find themselves in the NBA Finals. F LeBron James, F Chris Bosh, and G Dwyane Wade have the perfect opportunity to silence any critics still left with an NBA Championship. The Heat are easily playing their best basketball of the entire season right now. Add the athleticism of the above mentioned trio with the timely play of Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, and you have a dynasty in the making. Miami is 70-27 SU and 50-46-1 ATS overall this season. The Heat are 38-11 SU and 21-27 ATS in all home games played this season. Miami is 7-4 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 points this year. The Heat are 10-5 ATS in all playoff games this year.
James has been brilliant in the playoffs this year, as he's averaging team highs of 26 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 5.5 APG. Bosh is averaging 18.6 PPG during the postseason, while shooting better than 50% from the field in the process. Bosh will likely forgo his scoring prowess to focus primarily on stopping Dirk Nowitzki. The Heat are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as the listed favorite. Miami is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games overall. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. Miami is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Miami is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win. The Heat are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 Tuesday games. Miami is 10-22 ATS in their last 32 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Heat Injuries: F Dwyane Wade (shoulder) is probable. (updates at PregameWire.com)
Predicted Score from Mike Hook: Miami Heat 98, Dallas Mavericks 88 (free pick is Heat laying the points)
Comment below: What is your predicted score for Mavs vs. Heat? What is the main factor in your pick?
Related free content:
Game 1 free pick from SteveBeav [PregameForums.com]
NBA Finals preview from Vegas Butcher [PregameForums.com]
More free picks [PregamePros.com]
*** Watch Game 1 Mavericks vs. Heat Free Pick from Marco D’Angelo
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