The Pacers and Heat hit Game 5 in the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals tonight as the series returns to South Florida. This evening’s meeting between Indiana and Miami is scheduled to tip off at 8:30pm ET at the AmericanAirlines Arena; it will be broadcast live on TNT. The latest NBA Odds have the Heat favored at -7.5 against the spread and -390 on the money line ($390 wins $100). Tonight’s Over/Under is set at 184.5 points and the Pacers are drawing +320 odds to take a 3-2 series lead.
Indiana, after playing two great games on the Heat’s home floor, returned to the Hoosier State on Sunday and got rolled 114-96 by a highly motivated Miami squad.
The ugly loss rekindled visions of last year’s series, which saw the Heat win four games to two after digging a 1-2 hole. The thinking being that Indiana bloodied Miami’s nose in games one and two and would now suffer the wrath of the defending champions.
The Pacers made things decidedly more interesting on Tuesday night, though, earning a 99-92 Game 4 win to even the series at two games apiece. Indiana shot 50 percent in the critical victory and big man Roy Hibbert continued his exceptional play, finishing the night with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
LeBron James led Miami with 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, but the Heat shot just 39 percent as a team. Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, and Chris Bosh combined to shoot just 12-of-35 from field in the loss.
Tuesday’s result aside, Miami should exert its dominance tonight. The Heat have responded well off a loss in these playoffs, scoring double digit wins on each occasion. Another offensive outburst could be in order; however, Miami’s defense should be featured prominently tonight. Expect more intensity on that end of the floor as the Heat regain control of this series.
Pacers vs Heat Game 5 Odds:
Indiana Pacers +7.5 (-110), Over 184.5 (-110), +320 (Moneyline)
Miami Heat -7.5 (-110), Under 184.5 (-110), -390 (Moneyline)
NBA Free Picks:Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat Betting
What pro basketball bettors need to know about Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat on Thursday (5/30/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with Vegas Runner and Bryan Leonard.