The Brooklyn Nets are visiting Miami to take on a Heat team that is mired in a three-game losing streak. Will they pile on the pain?
Catch this game live on March 27, at 8:00 AM, Manila time.
Away: Brooklyn Nets (38-35, 22-16 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Kyrie Irving
- SG: Seth Curry
- SF: Bruce Brown
- PF: Kevin Durant
- C: Andre Drummond
The Brooklyn Nets got good news this week when it was revealed that Kyrie Irving will now be able to participate on home games, but their latest game against the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies was a bit of a disappointment. Even with Ja Morant on the sidelines, they could do little to stop a fourth-quarter assault led by Desmond Bane as they watched a small lead turn into a 132-120 defeat.
However, it’s worth noting that they were missing some pieces like Seth Curry and Goran Dragic. Both are listed as probable for the Miami game. Irving and Kevin Durant did their part, combining for 78 points, and they’re going to be relied on heavily again – and they probably want to get at least one win in their final regular season matchup with the Heat. Brooklyn lost all three other games against Miami this season.
Having more shooters around will certainly boost their chances of victory.
The Nets are 11-9 as road favorites so far this season. They’re 22-15-1 on the over/under as the visitors.
Home: Miami Heat (47-27, 26-11 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Kyle Lowry
- SG: Duncan Robinson
- SF: Jimmy Butler
- PF: PJ Tucker
- C: Bam Adebayo
Things have not been great for the Miami Heat lately. Yes, they’ve clinched their playoff spot, but are now in danger of losing the first seed in the Eastern Conference thanks to their current three-game losing streak. That string of defeats saw them blow a 17-point lead to the Knicks and also lose to a Warriors team that was severely undermanned.
Morale may be shaky as well, considering the on-court altercation between Jimmy Butler and coach Erik Spoelstra, as well as Udonis Haslem. Butler, who had 30 points in the Knicks game, will need to be at his best against the Nets, who are still fighting to escape the play-in tournament.
The key man for the Heat will likely be Bam Adebayo, as the Nets don’t have anyone on their roster that can effectively defend him, because Ben Simmons is still unavailable to play. His size and skill will pose a problem, and they may look to him to try to be aggressive and get KD in foul trouble early in the game.
The Heat are 4-0 as a home underdog this season.
PREDICTION:
Spread: I think the Nets break the Heat’s streak of covering the spread as home underdogs. I like -3.5 for Brooklyn.
Over/Under: If Curry and Dragic both return, I’m liking the over 228.
