Monday night NBA Playoff action, as the Miami Heat will be taking on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This is game 4 of their best of 7 series. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on TNT. Vegas odds have the Heat listed as 3 point favorites, while the total sits at 188.
Analysis: The Miami Heat came into the playoffs as the #2 seed in the East and they are playing so far after sweeping the Bobcats in 4 games and taking a 2-1 lead over the Nets in round 2 so far. Miami lost game three on this floor and they have now lost all 3 games played at the Barclays Center this year. The Heat averaged solid 102.1 ppg overall this year and were the top shooting team in the league, connecting on 50.1% of their shots, but have been a bit worse in the playoffs scoring just 99.7 ppg on 48.9% shooting. In the playoffs the offense has been led by whoever but Lebron James, who is averaging 27.4 ppg so far, while also leading the team in rebounding (7.0) and assists (5.0). Dwayne Wade (16.9 ppg) and Chris Bosh (14.7 ppg) have also averaged in double figures for the Heat so far. Defensively the Heat were are a solid bunch this year, allowing just 97.4 ppg (5th) on 45.7% shooting (16th) and they have been much better in the playoffs, allowing just 91.4 ppg on 45.9% shooting.
The Brooklyn Nets took their first series going 7 games vs the Toronto and after losing their first two in Miami they got back on the winning track by tacking a 104-90 decision on Saturday night. The Nets have gone 31-14 on the year and have now taken all 3 meetings between the teams here this year. The Nets averaged just 98.5 ppg on the year overall, and in the playoffs it has been a bit worse as they have averaged just 95.6 ppg on 46.4% shooting so far. In the playoffs, Joe Johnson has led the team in scoring with 20.2 ppg, while Deron Williams (14.4 ppg) and Paul Pierce (12.9 ppg) round out the double digit scorers on the team. Kevin Garnett leads the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg), while Williams has led them in assists (5.9 apg). On the defensive end of the floor the Nets have been solid this year allowing just 99.4 ppg during the regular season and they have been a bit better in the playoffs so far, allowing just 96.4 ppg on 46.0% shooting.
Pick: I really can't see the Heat having another bad game in this series. They are too good and will not allow the Nets to tie the series up. Miami has struggled in this building this year, but they are 23-9-1 ATS in their last 33 conference Semifinal games and they are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a loss of 10 or more, while the Nets are just 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 following a SU win. I full;y expect the Heat to bounce back from their worst outing in these playoffs, with a win of 8-10 points.
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