Each looking to reverse a losing skid, the Heat and the Trail Blazers will meet for the first time this season, in Miami on Thursday.
The Miami Heat find themselves in a tailspin as they see their odds of defending their Eastern Conference title shrink by the day. The Heat look to end a four-game losing streak Thursday night against a visiting Portland Trail Blazers team that has dropped two straight and is in a fight of its own in the West. The Heat are coming off a dispiriting 110-100 loss to Phoenix that dropped them to 0-3 on a four-game homestand that wraps up Thursday.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Heat are the slight favourites on the NBA odds, but the public is siding with the visitors. More than 60 per cent of Sports Interaction respondents are taking the visitors and the points, and it’s easy to understand why. Miami comes into this game not only as one of the worst cover options in the league so far (18-25-1 against the spread), but as a dismal 8-14-1 ATS in its first 23 home games. Portland, on the other hand, is an impressive 12-8 ATS on the road.
The total betting trend is much more one-sided, with 88 per cent of participants taking the O218.5 at -110 (with the U218.5 carrying identical odds). Portland has seen the Under cash in four of its previous six games, though each of its past two games fell short of the number by less than five points. The Heat have an even more impressive streak of recent Unders, having gone just 3-8 O/U in its previous 11 contests.
Portland Trail Blazers
A home stretch that began with so much promise ended with a resounding thud, as the Blazers dropped consecutive games to the Mavericks and Nets to finish 3-2 on their five-game homestand. But while a four-game trek to the other coast might seem daunting, this actually presents Portland with a great opportunity to make up ground in the West. After Miami, they’ll face Orlando, Toronto and Detroit, all of whom are out of the playoff picture.
Miami Heat
The Heat have made a not-so-triumphant return to the .500 mark thanks to their recent losing skid, and that has oddsmakers concerned. Miami has fallen to +1200 to repeat as East champions, the fourth-best odds in the conference but well back of the three teams ahead of it. The good news: The Heat are still a heavy favourite to finish with the best record in the Southeast Division, entering Thursday at -182.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Trail Blazers vs. Heat?
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TRAIL BLAZERS
104 -
HEAT
106
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 25 Mar 1:30pm | POR | -3.5 -110 | O +221 -110 |
| Closing 25 Mar 11:35pm | POR | -2.5 -111 | O +216 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
Injuries
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Nassir Little (SF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Norman Powell (SG)
Norman Powell (SG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Norman Powell (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Nassir Little (SF) | Ques Sun | Back - 11 / 05 / 21 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 | 7-5 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz. |
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| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday. |
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| Norman Powell (SG) | Ques Mon | Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 | 8-6 | 9-5 | + - |
|
Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday. |
|||||
| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Fri | Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Sat | Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 | 15-12 | 14-13 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Thurs | Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Ques Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons. |
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| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 15 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Kendrick Nunn (PG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Thurs | Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Tues | Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 02 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets. |
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| Nemanja Bjelica (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 Mar 1:30pm POR -3.5 -110 O +221 -110 Closing 25 Mar 11:35pm POR -2.5 -111 O +216 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
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Injuries
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21Nassir Little (SF)
Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Nassir Little (SF) Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21 6-4 6-4 + - Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 7-5 7-5 + - Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 7-6 8-5 + - Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday.
Norman Powell (SG) Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 8-6 9-5 + - Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 15-12 14-13 + - Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goran Dragic (PG) Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Kendrick Nunn (PG) Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21 8-4 8-4 + - Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.