NBA Betting: Miami Looks To Turn Up The Heat Against Sixers On Road Thursday

After clinching a 24-point victory at home in game two of their best-of-seven NBA opening round playoff series, the Miami Heat will head north looking to make the Philadelphia 76ers sweat at home in game three on Thursday night. Owning the first two games by a combined 32 points proved that the Sixers were no match for Miami at home. Now, the Heat will look to prove their dominance regardless of the venue.

Miami Heat @ Philadelphia Sixers
Thursday April 21, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Online Sports Betting Odds: Miami Heat - 300

The Sixers can’t shoot any worse than the 26-percent field goal percentage they hit through the first half of game two on Monday night.

Philadelphia was outscored 41-9 by the Heat in the opening two quarters, and finished with the second-worst playoff shooting percentage in franchise history at 34.2-percent.

NBA Betting Preview: Heat

After proving that they can handle adversity at a double-digit deficit in game one of the series only to bounce back and win, Miami absolutely destroyed the Sixers in game two. Led by 29 points from Lebron James, the Heat never trailed in the 94-73 win. Chris bosh registered his second consecutive double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and his physical presence in the paint continued to be a pleasant surprise. The big three of the Heat each outscored the entire Sixers’ bench combined in the first half, with Dwayne Wade looking just fine despite the migraines that almost kept him out of the game. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joel Anthony have been able to control the boards, and have been an underrated presence in the series.

NBA Betting Preview: 76ers

The biggest reason for the Sixers’ poor shooting was it’s starting five, which combined for as many points in four quarters as Miami’s James did alone. Elton Brand made just one of his five shots to finish with three points and seven rebounds, while guard Jrue Holiday finished with the most points (12), but the worst plus-minus (-23). Spencer Hawes didn’t grab a single rebound in 13 minutes of action, and will need to be much more physical. Philadelphia will need a stronger offensive presence from players such as Andre Iguodola, who finished with just five points in a team-high 36 minutes in game two, while everybody in the city was probably already turning their attention to the MLB betting Phillies.

NBA Betting Matchup: Outlook & Pick

This series has been the biggest sports betting bonus mismatch of the opening round, as the Heat have flexed their muscle and shown just how strong they look when they are rolling both offensively and defensively. Miami will want to keep the momentum going into the next round and make sure that they don’t show any signs of vulnerability, and will look to turn up the Heat again as the series shifts to the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday.

BSN Sports Pick: Miami Heat - 300