Game of the Day: Heat at Thunder
By Covers.com
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder (-3.5, 205.5)
The Miami Heat attempt to avenge a 17-point loss to Oklahoma City when they visit the Thunder in Thursday’s nationally televised showdown. Kevin Durant scored 33 points when Oklahoma City posted a 112-95 victory in Miami on Jan. 29 while LeBron James scored 34 for the Heat. The two leading MVP candidates figure to be primed for the rematch, while Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is a game-time decision to return from his latest knee surgery.
The Heat are wrapping up a six-game road trip and have won six of their last seven games after recording a 117-106 road victory over Dallas on Tuesday. James scored a season-best 42 points on 16-of-23 shooting for his 50th career 40-point outing and he is averaging 38.3 points over the last three contests. Oklahoma City is playing for the first time since the All-Star break concluded and possesses the top record in the NBA. Durant is also on a roll and is averaging 40 points over the last three games and his 43-point outing against the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 13 was his eighth such outing of the season.
LINE HISTORY: The Thunder opened as 3.5-point home faves and the total opened 205.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Miami (-14.3) - Thunder (-14.5) + Home Court (-3.0) = Thunder -4.2
INJURY WATCH: Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Knee - Probable)
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Russell Westbrook is set to return Thursday versus the Heat, making the league's top team even better. The focus will be on how Westbrook affects Durant's production." Covers Experts' Bryan Power.
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "I think we could be in store for a real treat with this game. It could be one of those games where you see two superstars trying to one up each other. Also look for the Heat to try and exact some revenge for the loss they suffered earlier in the season to the Thunder at home." Michael Stewart, CarbonSports.ag.
ABOUT THE HEAT (38-14 SU, 23-28-1 ATS, 31-21 O/U): James is third in the NBA in scoring (26.8) – Durant leads at 31.5 – and has played spectacularly since a dismal 13-point outing in a loss to lowly Utah on Feb. 8. A surprise scoring contributor in the victory over Dallas was journeyman forward Chris Andersen, who scored a season-best 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting as Miami pulled within 2 1/2 games of Eastern Conference-leading Indiana. “From here on out, we’ve got to take care of business and try and get that first spot back,” Andersen said afterward.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (43-12 SU, 32-23 ATS, 28-27 O/U): Westbrook has missed the last 27 games and Oklahoma City has thrived without him, going 20-7 during the stretch. The star point guard originally hurt his knee in last season’s playoffs against the Houston Rockets and he has experienced two setbacks – both requiring additional surgery – this season. Westbrook practiced with the squad on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see if coach Scott Brooks handles Westbrook cautiously to avoid another setback. Durant has stepped up with 20 30-point outings during Westbrook’s latest absence.
TRENDS:
* Over is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Heat are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Thunder are 1-5 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Southeast.
* Heat are 0-5 ATS in their last five Thursday games.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 52 percent of wagers are on the Heat +3.5.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder
Heat (38-14, 23-28-1 ATS) opening the second half spanking Mavericks 117-106 wrap up an extended six game road swing with a stop in Oklahoma City taking on league leading Thunder (43-12, 32-23 ATS). The victory pushes Heat's record to a sharp 11-3 (7-6-1 ATS) since the middle of January. Durant and company hitting the hardwood for the first time since the break are on a sparkling 15-2 (12-5 ATS) stretch including a win/cover over Heat in South Beach. Fading Heat in this spot might not be a good idea as the 'Three Amigos' are on a 20-9-1 ATS stretch revenging a loss including 7-2-1 ATS revenging a home defeat, 13-6-1 ATS L20 on the road vs a good offensive team (=>100 PPG). On the total side, Heat netting 104.4 PPG, Thunder 105.0 per along with two of the leagues top scores in Durant (31.5), James (26.8) trying to out due each other 'Over' may be a good choice knowing the last 5 meetings has translated into a 4-1 O/U with the last 12 encounters in Oklahoma City a 9-2-1 O/U mark.
Thursday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Heat at Thunder
Miami: 38-14 SU, 23-28-1 ATS
Oklahoma City: 43-12 SU, 32-23 ATS
A rematch of the 2012 NBA Finals takes place at Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight as the Thunder goes for the season sweep of the Heat. The last time these teams hooked up in South Florida in late January, Oklahoma City overcame an early 18-point deficit to chase out Miami, 112-95 to cash as four-point road underdogs. In fact, the Thunder even took a 25-point lead in the second half, led by Kevin Durant's 33 points, as OKC played without point guard Russell Westbrook.
However, the Thunder is expected to get Westbrook back in the lineup tonight after missing the last 28 games following minor knee surgery. Oklahoma City put together a 21-7 SU and 17-11 ATS during Westbrook's absence, while winning nine consecutive games at home. The Thunder has lost six of the last seven meetings with the Heat, including each of the last two at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Heat is playing the final leg of a six-game road trip (broken up by the All-Star break), as Miami held off Dallas on Tuesday night, 117-106 for its third straight victory. LeBron James scored a season-high 42 points, while the Heat topped the 100-point mark for the sixth time in the last seven games. Miami has covered twice in three opportunities as an underdog this season, including outright victories against the Clippers and Blazers.
Oklahoma City has been off since last Thursday's 107-103 triumph over the Lakers, but the Thunder failed to cash as 10½-point road favorites. OKC has drilled the 'over' in four of the past five games, including three of the last four at Chesapeake Energy Arena. In Miami's last 11 road games, the Heat has hit the 'over' seven times, while doing so in the previous two victories at Dallas and Golden State.
Nuggets at Bucks
Denver: 24-28 SU, 22-30 ATS
Milwaukee: 10-43 SU, 21-32 ATS
Two teams going nowhere meet in Milwaukee, but it's actually the Bucks who are playing with confidence right now. Milwaukee won just its 10th game of the season on Tuesday, a 104-100 triumph as three-point home underdogs against Orlando, but it was the sixth cover in seven tries. Also, the Bucks have cashed 'dog tickets six consecutive times, including four straight when receiving points at BMO Harris Center.
And then we have the Nuggets. Following a 12-4 stretch from mid-November through early December, Denver has fallen off the mountain by losing 20 of its past 31 games, including five in a row. Brian Shaw's club fell in overtime on Tuesday to Phoenix after blowing a late fourth quarter lead, while losing six of their past seven games away from the Pepsi Center.
The Bucks and Nuggets hooked up in Denver on February 5, as Denver held on for a 110-100 victory, but failed to cover as 11½-point favorites. Ty Lawson scored 18 points and dished out 13 assists for the Nuggets, but the point guard will miss his third straight game tonight with injured ribs. Denver has compiled a 6-3 SU and 5-4 ATS record as a road favorite this season, while winning seven straight meetings with Milwaukee.
Rockets at Warriors
Houston: 37-17 SU, 28-24-2 ATS
Golden State: 32-22 SU, 24-27-3 ATS
Both these clubs are playing with no rest, as the Rockets go for their third win over the Warriors this season. Houston beat Golden State twice in a one-week span back in December, including a 116-112 triumph at Oracle Arena as 3½-point underdogs, the seventh victory in eight meetings for the Rockets. Now, Houston will try to extend its eight-game winning streak following another victory last night.
Kevin McHale's club went into Staples Center on Wednesday night and dominated the Lakers, 134-108, the seventh straight contest in which the Rockets have topped the 100-point mark. Seven Rockets scored in double-figures, as Dwight Howard scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in his first game in Los Angeles since signing with the Rockets in the offseason. Playing with no rest has been no problem for the Rockets this season, posting a 9-4 SU/ATS record on the second of a back-to-back.
The Warriors are seeking consecutive wins for just the second time since early January, as Golden State knocked off Sacramento last night, 101-92 to cash as five-point road favorites. Mark Jackson's team is just 6-10-1 ATS since a 10-game winning streak that ended last month, while losing six of its past 10 contests played at Oracle Arena. The Warriors have won three of their last four games with no rest, but Golden State has covered just once in this stretch.
NBA Betting Guide and Picks
By: Michael Robinson
Sportingnews.com
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping for a boost to their lineup when they host the Miami Heat in a huge clash on Thursday night (8:00 p.m. ET). This is the first half of the TNT doubleheader, preceding Rockets at Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET).
Line: Oklahoma City -3 Total: 207
Guard Russell Westbrook is a game-time decision after missing the last 27 games. Oklahoma City more than survived at 20-7 SU and 16-11 ATS over that span, with MVP-favorite Kevin Durant leading the way at 35 points per game.
The Thunder (43-12 SU, 32-23 ATS) didn’t need Westbrook when they traveled to South Beach on Jan. 29. Durant scored 33 points, as the team fell behind 22-4 and turned a 30-21 first-quarter deficit into a 112-95 win (as 4-point dogs) The Heat were 6-0 SU and ATS in the previous six meetings between the teams, dating back to the 2012 NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City is very-well rested for this game, not playing since last Thursday. Should he suit up, there will be an adjustment integrating Westbrook back into the lineup, and emerging young guns, Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb, will have to deal with getting less minutes
The Heat (38-14 SU, 25-27 ATS) started the second half of their season with a 117-106 win at Dallas on Tuesday. They covered the spread as 2.5-point favorites and are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six away.
LeBron James scored a season-high 42 points last game on 16-of-23 shooting from the field. He hasn’t given up hope for a third-straight MVP award and needs to make a statement against Durant. Dwyane Wade has been dealing with a foot issue and took just seven shots against Dallas. He needs to be aggressive to counter the Thunder scoring attack (105 PPG, ranked 6th).
Miami has been an underdog just four times this year, going 3-1 SU and 3-1 ATS.
The Don Best/Linemakers Power Ratings has Miami tied with Indiana for the NBA’s top team, a half-point better than Oklahoma City on a neutral court.
Trends of note:
The OVER is 4-1 in Oklahoma City’s last five games.
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last six road games.
Miami is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings between the teams.
The OVER is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings between the teams in Oklahoma City.
The Linemakers’ lean: Miami, which covered just four of 11 games heading into the All-Star break, will put any complacency aside tonight, as they seek revenge for the 17-point loss at home to the Thunder in January. The Heat’s overall spread record indicates they’re overvalued, but they’re covering at a 17-11 clip on the road. They also thrive in the underdog role, and LeBron takes his game up a notch when facing marquee opponents, especially on the road. We’ll take the points with Miami tonight.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (-1, 212.5)
The Rockets (37-17 SU, 28-23-3 ATS) headed into the All-Star break with seven-straight wins and got their second half started with a 134-108 win at the L.A. Lakers on Wednesday. Dwight Howard had 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals in his first visit to Staples Center to play his former team after ditching the Lakers via free agency in the offseason.
Golden State (32-22 SU, 24-28-2 ATS) was also in action last night, traveling to the dismal Sacramento Kings. The result was a 101-92 win as a 5-point favorite. Center Andrew Bogut (shoulder) sat out again and appears unlikely to go tonight. The team needs to start developing a better home-court advantage, going just 16-10 SU (10-15-1 ATS) at Oracle Arena this season.
The Rockets are 9-4 ATS in the second game of a back-to-back this year, while Golden State is 4-5 ATS in that situation.
Houston has won and covered both meetings between the teams this year, each in December. The one in the Bay Area was a 116-112 decision as 3.5-point road dogs, with Andre Iguodala out for Golden State. The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between the teams overall.
The Don Best/Linemakers Power Ratings has Houston ranked fourth in the league and a half-point better than Golden State on a neutral court.