Nets vs. Heat Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread

Jordan Ramsay | Updated Apr 18, 2021

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Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have combined to form a dangerous offensive duo, but they'll have their hands full with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Brooklyn
48-24
AT
April 18, 2021, 3:30 PM ET
American Airlines Arena
Miami
40-32
Matchup Odds
Matchup Odds

Brooklyn is expecting to make a deep playoff run this year and next up for the Nets is a game in Miami on Sunday against a Heat team that made it all the way to the NBA Finals last season.

The Nets are 4-point favourites to win on the NBA odds with a total of 222.5

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Brooklyn is looking to sweep the season series in the third and final regular season meeting between these teams this year.  The Nets picked up two January wins at home against Miami and their roster has only become stronger since then.

As strong as Brooklyn has been this year overall, they’re only a few games above .500 on the road.  They’re a dead-even 28-28 against the spread and have covered in 11 of their last 15 road games.  The Nets are an offensive juggernaut, which sometimes leads to a lack of defensive responsibility, so it’s not surprising to see them frequently hit the Over.  They’ve gone above the number 34 times this season, including in five of their last six games.

Miami sits exactly at .500 on the year and they’ve been about as successful at home as they have on the road.  They haven’t always paid bettors, going 23-32-1 ATS overall and 1-5 ATS in their last six games.  The Heat have hit the Over in six of their last eight games overall and five straight home games.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets produced another big offensive output in their 130-115 win over Charlotte on Friday. Six Brooklyn players hit double-digit points, including Joe Harris, who had a team-high 26, while Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists.  The Nets have had to make an unexpected pivot at centre, following the retirement of LaMarcus Aldridge due to heart issues.  DeAndre Jordan and Nicolas Claxton have been splitting minutes to try and fill the hole in the lineup.  James Harden is set to miss this game, although Durant and Kyrie Irving will be in the lineup.

Brooklyn’s offence has them one game shy of first in the Eastern Conference.  They’re third in the NBA in 3-point percentage, while they’re tops in field goal percentage and offensive rating.  The Nets are the only team in the NBA that boasts two top-15 scorers in the league.  Irving is seventh, averaging 27.1 points per game, while Harden is 15th with 25.2.  Durant is actually averaging 28.1 points, but he hasn’t played enough games to qualify.

Miami Heat

Miami hasn’t looked great over their current three-game losing streak.  They were blown out by 20 points against Phoenix, they dropped a game against Denver by 18 and they’re coming off a 119-111 loss Minnesota.  The Heats’ defence has played well, it’s scoring that’s hurting this team.  They’re sixth in the NBA in defensive rating, but they’re 24th in offensive rating, 20th in field goal percentage and 26th in 3-point percentage.  There’s also injury issues plaguing Miami at the moment.  Trade acquisition Victor Oladipo (knee), leading scorer Jimmy Butler (ankle) and veteran Andre Iguodala (hip) are all questionable for Sunday.

If Butler is available, the Heat will get a huge boost up front.  Butler and Bam Adebayo have created a dangerous 1-2 punch for Miami.  Butler is averaging a team-high 21.4 points, 7.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while Adebayo leads the team with 9.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Heat?

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