NBA Basketball
2011-12-30 - Miami Heat at Minnesota T-Wolves
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 30 December 2011 - Tip Off 8pm ET
1am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Miami Heat (3-0) rallied from a slow start to remain unbeaten thanks to a late Dwyane Wade basket as they overcame Charlotte by 1 point last time out. It was a flat performance after beating Dallas and Boston in their opening 2 games, but one that they want to quickly move on from as they visit Minnesota.
The Timberwolves (0-2) may have lost their opening 2 games this season, but they have shown signs that they could have a vastly improved year than they did last season. The likes of Kevin Love and Michael Beasley are very good players in their own right and are being ably backed by the likes of Juan Jose Barea and Wesley Johnson as the look to improve.
Wade had to fight through an injury in the last game against the Bobcats, but should be good to go tonight as the Heat look to continue their stifling defence that allowed them to come back in the second half against Charlotte. LeBron James has also looked far more comfortable in the offense this year and has got 'back to basics' in attacking the net and not settling for jumpers.
The Heat are averaging over 100 points in their games so far this season and they should cause plenty of issues for the Timberwolves, although their defence has not been as solid as it was down the stretch last season.
JJ Barea may be missing for Minnesota tonight as he has been struggling with a hamstring issue, and this could be a tough time for Minnesota as they face some of the best teams in the NBA during a 5 game stretch. They had a close loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in their home opener, before another close loss in Milwaukee, but this is as tough as it comes for this team coming together.
Head to Head
Miami hammered Minnesota in both meetings in the regular season last year, covering the 11 point and 16.5 point spreads in those wins.
The Heat have covered the spread in their last 3 visits to Minnesota and are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 trips North.
Minnesota are 2-0 against the spread this season, Miami are 1-2.
Other Interesting Trends
Minnesota are 3-14 against the spread in their last 17 games played with 2 days rest.
They are 17-38 against the spread in their last 55 games played against teams with a winning record on the road.
Miami are 21-7 against the spread in their last 28 games against a team with a losing record at home.
Prediction
I am going back to the well and backing the Miami Heat to cover the spread tonight for the following reasons:
First, I think the Heat will want to demonstrate their ability after a close win last time out and will not want to leave things so tight this time around.
Second, Minnesota are a better team than they were last season, but they are still trying to find their identity with their new pieces that have been brought in and could be exposed by the more experienced Heat.
Third, Miami dominated the Timberwolves in 2 regular season meetings last season and I will look for them to do so again.
The Pick :
Minnesota T-Wolves 96-107 Miami Heat
