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Heat vs Pacers Odds and Picks

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball

Updated Dec 2, 2021 · 8:03 PM PST

Kyle Lowry dribbling into the paint
Dec 1, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the basketball ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the third quarter at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Heat visit the Pacers on Friday, December 3rd
  • Miami is a 5-point road underdog
  • Find the odds, preview, and prediction below

The Miami Heat will be looking to end their two-game losing streak when they hit the road to face the Indiana Pacers on Friday, December 3rd. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm ET at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Miami is coming off a disappointing defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were sidelined. The latter is out for six weeks with a torn UCL in his thumb, while Butler is still recovering from a tailbone contusion.

The Pacers are also struggling, losing three straight contests and most recently falling to Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.

Heat vs Pacers Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Miami Heat +5 (-110) +166 OFF
Indiana Pacers -5 (-110) -198 OFF

Odds as of December 2nd at Fanduel.

The Pacers are just 12-12 ATS overall, but they’ve actually thrived as ATS underdogs, going 7-4. The Heat, on the other hand, have posted a dismal 8-9 record as ATS favorites.

These two teams already met on October 23rd, with Indiana coming out victorious in an OT thriller.

Depleted Heat

Miami has been one of the most exciting clubs in the NBA early on, but their latest injury problems are definitely concerning. With Bam out indefinitely, that leaves a gaping hole in their frontcourt.

In the case of Butler, he shouldn’t be out too long, but you could see how much the Heat missed these two stars on Wednesday night.

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Not only did they lose to the Cavs, but it was a 26-point blowout. It was simply an all-around underwhelming performance, with Tyler Herro’s 21 points the lone bright spot. Three different players dropped double-digits off the bench, but the likes of Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson were extremely quiet, with the sharpshooter posting a goose egg in 20 minutes of action.

Miami shot just 32% from downtown and 38% from the field. Adebayo’s absence was severely felt inside, with Cleveland outrebounding Erik Spoelstra’s squad 46-28. Dewayne Dedmon did a decent job in Bam’s place with 13 boards, but the rest of the rotation showed little desire on the glass.

Lowry has proven to be a nice addition to this Heat team, but his scoring production has to improve right now. He’s averaging just 12.3 points per night and with Butler out for a few more games, the guard needs to take initiative and start doing more than just playmaking.

Robinson’s involvement is also very important and he’ll be looking for a bounce-back performance against Indy after easily the worst game of his career.

Pacers Better on Home Court

It hasn’t been a great year for the Pacers by any means, sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-15 record. However, Indiana is playing a lot better on their home floor, going 6-5. Although Rick Carlisle’s group is winless in three games, the last two were extremely close, where the Pacers only lost by five points combined.

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On Wednesday against the Hawks, Indy was right in this contest until the very end. Rookie Chris Duarte had the chance to give his team the lead with just seconds left but missed a contested layup which looked to be a foul, but there was no call. Trae Young ultimately drained a couple of crucial free throws at the opposite end and secured the victory for Atlanta.

Malcolm Brogdon led the way for the Pacers with 27 points, while Domantas Sabonis poured in 22. The defense was lacking at times though, with the Hawks shooting a ridiculous 48% from downtown and 51% from the field.

Indiana even went into the final quarter with a slim lead, but they couldn’t hold on as Young and his red-hot rotation continued to facilitate and make big shots.

Indy will definitely be poised to respond on Friday and there’s undoubtedly an incentive with the Heat missing their two best players.

Heat vs Pacers Prediction

Although both teams need a win very badly, I do believe that Miami’s loss is going to be a huge wake-up call. For the time being, the Heat need to adapt to life without Butler and Adebayo.

I expect Herro to lead the way again, but you’ll see Lowry also step up. Expect an efficient shooting night against a Pacers squad who are rather poor at defending the three-ball.

Pick: Miami Heat moneyline (+166)

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