NBA Basketball
2010-11-17 - Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 17 November 2010 - Tip-Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Miami Heat (6-4) might have begun the season as the most hated team in the NBA, and at the moment many are taking their shots at the team as they have hit a tough patch already this season. Point Guards have given them a tough time, especially the elite ones, and they face another tonight when Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns (6-4) roll into town.
Erik Spoelstra, the Coach of the Heat, has been in for particular criticism after the start the team has made, and rumours persist that he is about to be shown the door and the keys to the Porsche given to Hall of Famer Pat Riley, the Heat President who put together the 'Big Three'. Dwyane Wade came out in support of Spoelstra this week, but another couple of defeats may see a Coaching change.
Initially, it was the Defensive side of the ball that had been taking care of itself, but that has not been the case in recent games for Miami. They are allowing 109.2 points per game as they lost 2 of 3 games.
Lebron James is beginning to build an understanding with his new team and he is averaging 22 points and 8 Assists per game, but it is the play of Chris Bosh that is most worrying. Bosh is averaging 10 points and 4 Rebounds less than he did over the last season with Toronto, and there are suggestions that he is feeling the pressure most of playing in an elite team. Bosh will hope seeing the Suns will improve his numbers as he is averaging 27 points and 12 Rebounds in his last 5 games against them.
Phoenix had made a slow start to the season, and many had expected a drop off in their production when they allowed Amare Stoudemire to leave and join the New York Knicks. However, they have retained the services of one of the best Point Guards in the NBA, Steve Nash, and have now won 5 of their last 6 as they begin rolling.
Nash is averaging 19 points and 12 Assists in the Suns' last 6 games, but he has even more impressive numbers when playing the Heat in South Beach. Nash is shooting 70% from the field and averaging 29 points in his last 3 games in Miami.
Head to Head
Phoenix have won 4 of their last 5 games in Miami although they are 1-4 in their last 5 games overall.
The Suns are also 2-7 against the spread in recent games in Miami.
Phoenix have scored at least 100 points in 8 of their last 9 games overall and are averaging 108 points per game this season, although also allowing 106 points.
Prediction
This is a tough game to call because the Phoenix Suns are playing well at the moment, but have been exceeding expectations on their team, while Miami have well documented problems with Point Guards and now get to face one of the best in that position in Steve Nash.
What I can see in this game is that the winner is very likely to have to exceed 100 points to do so as both teams have been playing well on the Offensive side of the ball.
Miami are the better Defensive team in my opinion, but have been struggling a little in their most recent games, and I feel Steve Nash could expose their problems at Point Guard as others like Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Devon Williams have done already this season.
I think the point spread could go either way, although I would probably favour the Suns with 8.5 points if I had to choose. Instead, I will pick 'Over 208 Points' scored in the game, with the possibility that both teams can go over 100 points each.
I'll take the Overs here.
The Pick :
Miami Heat 110-106 Phoenix Suns
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 208 Total Points
