NBA Basketball
2011-02-25 - Washington Wizards at Miami Heat
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 25 February 2011 - Tip-Off 7:30pm ET
1:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Miami Heat (42-16) continue to lose their footing and balance when they play the absolute elite teams in the NBA. Last night they dropped to 1-7 against Chicago, Dallas, Boston, San Antonio and the LA Lakers with another disappointing 3rd Quarter effort. That loss in Chicago also meant the Bulls closed up behind the Heat in the Play Off race and Miami also missed the chance to catch the Boston Celtics, another defeated team.
The one thing going for the Heat at this moment is the fact they are facing the Washington Wizards (15-41) next, a team that has won 1 road game all season and is coming off some heavy losses since they managed to get that 1 win.
With Miami angry after last night, this is not a good spot for the Wizards to be in, especially less so when considering how the Heat have been roasting the lesser teams in the NBA.
Chris Bosh will look for a much better outing than last night when he missed 17 of 18 shots taken, the worst performance in the NBA in 20 years. Bosh should be looking forward to facing Washington with his career average of 25.4 points per game, the most against any team in the East.
Washington will look to improve on their last 3 efforts when they have been heavily beaten, losing by 25 at Orlando, 17 at home to Indiana and by 23 two nights ago in Philadelphia. They will look to John Wall to continue his recent impressive form in his first game against Miami this season.
The last defeat at Philadelphia has been blamed on an in game announcement that the Wizards had traded away Kirk Hinrich to the Atlanta Hawks. Mike Bibby and Maurice Evans were two of the players to come into Washington and both should be suited up here.
Head to Head
Miami have won both meetings with Washington this season, although it is the Wizards who have 2 wins against the spread.
The Heat were 11 point winners at home back in November before escaping with a 1 point win in the Capital in December.
Miami are 11-15 against the spread at home this season, Washington are 8-20 on the road.
Miami are 7-7 against the spread on back to back nights play, Washington are 11-16 on 1 days rest.
Other Interesting Notes
Miami are 7-18-2 against the spread in their last 27 games following a loss.
However, they are 5-2 against the spread in their last 7 games at home when favoured by over 11 points.
Washington are 7-19 against the spread in their last 26 games as the road underdog.
The Wizards are 17-35 against the spread in their last 52 games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
Prediction
The Miami Heat are angry... And Washington wont like them when they get angry.
The loss at Chicago will grate on the Heat and I expect them to come out in a similar manner to when they played Sacramento on Tuesday with a lot of determination to make this an easy night. This is the last of the 'easy' games for Miami for a while and I expect they will want to pick up some momentum with games against the likes of New York, Chicago and San Antonio in the immediate future.
Washington have been truly awful in their recent games and, while I expect them to wake up and play basketball again soon, I feel this is the kind of game where a hurting is going to be laid on them.
There is always the chance for a backdoor cover here that I have to wary of, but I think the Heat are ready to make a statement and take this win with something to spare.
The Pick :
Miami Heat 114-93 Washington Wizards
BEST BETTING TIP :
Big spread I know but I will take the Miami Heat - 14.5 Points @ 2.0 (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak- the direct link is below
