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The Miami Heat head west to test the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Moda Center in Portland.
West Coast Trip
The Miami Heat have lost three in a row and as a result, they have fallen three games below the .500 mark at 24-27. In their last game, the Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers at home, their 4th straight home loss. Now the Heat have more challenges ahead as they embark on a five-game West Coast trip beginning with a visit to Portland on Tuesday.
Miami’s offense has sputtered this season to 26th overall at 104.9 points per game. The Heat are also just 18th in assists at 23.7 dimes per contest. However, Miami is 9th off the glass with 46.5 rebounds per game. They also have the 3rd best scoring defense in the league at 105.5 points per game allowed.
Miami Heat vs Portland Trail Blazers 2/5/19
Moneyline Odds: Heat +255, Blazers -305
Odds from betonline.ag as of 2/5/19
Making Their Move
With the season already halfway done, the Portland Trail Blazers are now making their move to solidify their playoff position in the Western Conference. The Blazers have won three games in a row and have lost just once in their last seven games. Portland is now 32-20, just one game behind the 3rd seeded OKC Thunder and five games off the Western Conference leader.
The Blazers are ranked 9th in team scoring at 113.1 points per game. They are also 24th in passing at 22.7 assists per game and 2nd in rebounding at 48.2 boards per contest. Meanwhile, Portland is allowing its opponents to score 110.0 points per game which is the 13th best scoring defense in the league.
Who Wins?
Miami is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games played including 3-3 SU in six road games during that period. Portland is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played. The Blazers are 5-0 SU in their last five games played at home. Head to head, Portland is 6-4 SU in their last 10 games versus Miami.
Meanwhile, Portland is blazing with six wins in their last seven games including the last three. They head to this home game well-rested after last playing on Wednesday. Damian Lillard will play for the first time since being named to his 4th All-Star selection and given that Dame plays big at home, you bet this is going to be Dame Time.
Miami heads to their toughest stretch of the season coming off a loss to lowly Chicago. The Blazers meanwhile are on a high with three straight wins and will play at home where they have usually been a very different and dominant team. And don’t forget that the Blazers have won 8 in a row at home. Look for Portland to add to Erik Spoelstra’s woes on Tuesday night.
I’m picking the Portland Trail Blazers to beat the Miami Heat on 2/5/19.
Other Bets To Make
The Heat are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played and Miami is 3-3 ATS in their last six games on the road. The Blazers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games and have gone 5-0 ATS in their last five home games. Head to head, Portland is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 encounters vs Miami.
Miami Heat vs Portland Trail Blazers 2/5/19
Spread Odds: Heat +7.5 -110, Blazers -7.5 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 2/5/19
Heat have lost by at least seven points and by an average of 13 points during their current three-game losing streak. And considering two of those losses were to Chicago and Indiana and all three happened at home, you have an idea of how bad the Heat have been playing as of late. Portland meanwhile has won by at least nine and by an average of 16.67 points during their current three-game win streak. I think the Blazers blow the Heat off from the Moda Center.
Prediction: Blazers -7.5
The total has gone under in eight out of the last 10 games played the Heat. the under is 5-1 in their last six games on the road. The over is 7-2-1 in Portland’s last 10 games and the over is also 4-0-1 in their last five games played at home.
Miami Heat vs Portland Trail Blazers 2/5/19
Over/Under Odds: Over 213 -110, Under 213 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 2/5/19
Miami has averaged just 97.9 points per game in their last 10 games, failing to hit the 100 mark in six of those games. But the Blazers have scored 120 or more in each of their last three games and in five out of their last seven outings. Miami’s offense is sputtering right now but if Portland Covers 20, Miami will need just 94 to top the 213 total. The Heat have scored at least 94 in seven out of their last 10 games so I’ll take my chances here.
Prediction: Over 213
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