Miami Heat at Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Miami Heat (-6)
Game Total Line: (209)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

Miami (21-9, 13-16 ATS) is coming off its first loss since November. The Heat won 12 straight games before losing 98-96 to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Miami has lost back-to-back games against the spread and is 1-3 ATS in its last four outings.

Despite the defeat, the Heat kept their very impressive defensive streak alive; the club hasn't allowed an opponent to track triple digits since November 27, a span of 13 games. Unfortunately, the offense didn't pull its weight. LeBron James was terrible in the first half against the Mavs, going scoreless. He wasn't the only one, though, as Miami shot just 40.5 percent from the field.

Miami might soon get a boost from the return of Mike Miller. He wasn't able to start the season thanks to a thumb injury but, on Monday, he played in his first game for the Heat. Miller played just a little under four minutes and surely the team will break him in slowly, but another threat is always nice.

Phoenix (13-14, 11-15-1 ATS) is struggling. The Suns lost 118-110 in San Antonio on Monday, dropping them to 2-5 in their last seven games. On the bright side, they've covered back-to-back games, ending a five-game slide against the spread.

The Spurs loss was partly a product of a depleted roster. Phoenix just executed a trade for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickeal Pietrus, but all three were in Phoenix taking physicals and do other preparations. They practiced with the team Tuesday, though, and will be available on Thursday.

The Suns are hoping the move adds defense and depth, but that might be wishful thinking--particularly when it comes to depth. This week it's been rumored Carter is considering arthroscopic surgery on his knee. That would keep him out of the lineup for at least a month. Either way, predicting how the Suns will play in their first game as a new team will be difficult. They'll probably be energized by some fresh blood, but how it all meshes remains to be seen.

Miami already beat Phoenix once this season, winning 123-96 in mid-November. The clubs have split their last 10 games, but the Heat are 7-3 ATS in that span, including back-to-back covers. The total went under in the last game, the first time it had in three meetings. Sportsbook.com has set the total for Thursday's game at 209 points.

Benson ATS Prediction
Take the OVER 209 at Sportsbook.