Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Sunday and we will see Charlotte Bobcats travel to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. The game has a start time of 3:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ABC. Vegas odds have the Heat listed as 9 point favorites, while the total sits at 188.5.
Stat Packs: The Charlotte Bobcats come in as the 7th seed in the East, going 43-39 on the year. They did struggle on the road with an 18-23 record and are 1-5 ATS the last 6 in this series. The Bobcats were 25-6 on the year when they scored 100+ points, but still overall they have averaged just 96.9 ppg (23rd) on 44.2% shooting (25th). The offense is led by Al Jefferson, who averages 21.7 ppg, while also leading the team in rebounding, at 10.8 rpg. Kemba Walker (17.7 pg), Gerald Henderson (14.0 ppg) and (11.2 ppg) also average in double figures for the Bobcats. On defense this is a very solid team that ranks 4th in points allowed (97.1 ppg) and 6th in defensive FG% (44.2%), but they have had issues defending the Arc, allowing teams to hit 36.9% from long range, which is 24th in the league.
For the Miami Heat, they come in as the second seed in the East with a 54-28 record, while also going 32-9 on their home floor this year. Miami, though has struggled some of late as they have won just 1 of their last 5 games. The Heat come in averaging a solid 102.2 ppg, which is 12th in the league. They are, though, the top shooting team in the league, hitting 50.1% of their shots from the field. The offense is led by whoever but Lebron James, who is averaging 27.1 ppg on the year. He also leads the team in assists (6.4) and rebounding (6.9). Dwayne Wade is 2nd in scoring (19.0 ppg). Chris Bosh (16.2 ppg) rounds out the double digit scorers for this team. Defensively the Heat are a solid bunch, as they allowed just 97.4 ppg (5th) on 45.7% shooting (16th). Miami has dominated this series, winning the last 16 in a row vs the Bobcats.
Pick: Gonna make this one short. I feel the play here is the Miami Heat. They have been listening to the press about how their struggles down the stretch mat signal that this team doesn't have it this year. Will they will come out and show at least the Bobcats that they do have it with a win of at least 15.
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NBA Free Picks: Charlotte Bobcats vs Miami Heat Betting
What pro basketball bettors need to know about Charlotte Bobcats vs Miami Heat on Sunday (4/20/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Ken Thomson with host Marco D'Angelo.