NBA basketball on Friday night and we will see Indiana Pacers travel to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. The game has a start time of 7:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on NBA TV. Vegas odds have the Heat listed as 5.5 point favorites, while the total sits at 182.5.
Stat Packs: The Indiana Pacers have been reeling down the stretch, as they have won 4 of their last 8 games to fall behind the Miami Heat in the chase for the top spot in the East. On of those 4 wins were an 84-83 home win over the Heat. The Pacers really make their stand at the defensive end of the floor, where they are ranked 2nd in points allowed (92.3 ppg), 1st in defensive FG% (42%) and 4th in 3pt defensive FG% (34.6%). On offense they are well below averaged as they score just 96.8 ppg (24th) on 44.7% shooting (18th). The Offense is led by Paul George, who averages a healthy 21.7 ppg, while Lance Stephenson (13.8 ppg) and 13.8 ppg) round out the top 3 scorers on the team. West leads the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg), while Hibbert Leads them in blocks (2.3) and Stephenson leads the team in assists (4.5).
For the Miami Heat, they have now taken control of the East and come in at 53-25 on the year, including 31-8 at home. Miami, though has struggled some of late as they have won just 1 of their last 4 games. The Heat come in averaging a solid 102.8 ppg, which is 12th in the league. They are, though, the top shooting team in the league, hitting 50.4% of their shots from the field. The offense is led by whoever but Lebron James, who is averaging 27 ppg on the year. He also leads the team in assists (6.4) and rebounding (6.9). Dwayne Wade is 2nd in scoring (19.2 ppg), but he is listed as questionable for this game. Chris Bosh (16.4 ppg) rounds out the double digit scorers for this team. Defensively the Heat are a solid bunch, as they allowed just 97.3 ppg (6th) on 45.5% shooting (13th).
Pick: Can anyone say statement game? I can and I feel that the heat will look to send a statement to the Pacers as we head into the post-season. Miami has lost 3 of their last 4 games, but don't let that fool you, this is still the best team in the East and they are very tough at home, where they have gone 31-8 on the year, while outscoring foes by 7.5 ppg in the process. The Pacers have been out scored by 8.8 ppg in their last 5 games and they have won just 3 of their last 10 games overall. The Pacers have a wounded psyche right now and the Heat will exploit that with a total beat down in South Beach tonight.
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NBA Free Picks: Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat Betting
What pro basketball bettors need to know about Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat on Friday (4/11/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Ken Thomson, with Host Marco D'Angelo.