Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Miami (-9)
Game Total Line: (198)
(wagering lines available at Sportsbook.com)

In an NBA mid-week matchup of one-loss teams the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat host the upstart Indiana Pacers Wednesday night (7:30 pm Eastern).

As of mid-Wednesday morning most online sportsbooks are listing Miami at -9 over Indiana, with an over/under of right around 198.

Indiana is off to a 4-1 start, after winning at New Jersey Monday night 108-94. The Pacers got big help from their long-range shooters, going 13-for-21 from 3-point range in beating the Nets. Indiana is now 2-1 on the road, and has held each of its first five opponents to 96 points or less. And the Pacers have outrebounded their opponents in four of their first five games.

So Indiana sits in second place in the Central Division, just a half-game behind first-place Chicago.

Miami started 5-0 this season, with wins over Dallas and Boston, but they also needed some late-game heroics from G Dwyane Wade to beat Charlotte and Minnesota. The Heat then suffered their first loss Monday night, falling at Atlanta 100-92. Miami led by four points going into the fourth quarter but got outscored 33-21 in that final frame.

So the Heat lead the Southeast Division by a game over Atlanta and Orlando.

Statistically speaking Indiana is shooting just 41 percent from the floor this season, but 44 percent from beyond the arc. The Pacers have also held opponents to less than 41 percent FG shooting and 32 percent from long range, in allowing just 89 PPG.

Miami is shooting 51 percent from the field this season, and 43 percent from long range. At the other end of the court the Heat are allowing opponents to shoot almost 45 percent from the floor.

Last season Miami took two of three games from the Pacers, but Indiana covered the spread in two of those three games. And two of those games played over their posted totals.

On the injury front Wade is dealing with a sore foot, and while he's likely to play Wednesday night he probably won't be at full speed.

Indiana is 2-3 on the over/unders this season, as Pacers games have averaged 184 PPG.

Miami is 3-3 on the totals, as Heat games have averaged 205 PPG. Last year Miami games averaged 197 points.

Point Spread Pick

We like the Pacers to stay within this lofty number.
Take the Indiana Pacers +9 at SIA and grab a free $125 to bet on NBA games!!