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The NBA will showcase this elite Eastern Conference battle between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Heat-Nets prediction and pick.
Tonight is the night where Kevin Durant returns to the Nets. This couldn't have come at a better time for Brooklyn as they are fighting to stay alive in the Eastern Conference. With Durant back and Kyrie Irving close to playing full time, expect the Nets to start winning games again. Ben Simmons will take some more time to get situated and when he's ready to play, this squad will be scary in May. Brooklyn is (32-31) on the season which puts them 8th in the East.
The Miami Heat are running the show in the East with the top record at (41-22). This team finds ways to win even without some of their role players and Kyle Lowry. The Heat did fall to the Milwaukee Bucks last night 120-119 after Tyler Herro scored 30 points. This matchup is set to be a good one with one of the best players in the world returning to the court.
Here are the Heat-Nets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Heat-Nets Odds
Miami Heat: -1.5 (-114)
Brooklyn Nets: +1.5 (-106)
Over: 221.5 (-110)
Under: 221.5 (-110)
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Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread
Miami now has a tougher task tonight with Durant returning to the floor for Brooklyn. That will be their key to covering this spread, as Durant should get right back to work. Irving won't be available but the Nets have shown they can compete without their Big Three. The Nets lost to the Toronto Raptors 109-108 last time out but had five players reach double digits. The Nets now contain some important veterans like Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, and James Johnson that can all help take the load off Durant. Miami needs to make sure that those players don't get into a rhythm or else that can be a really bad sign not only for this game but for the rest of the season.
The Heat would be on a 5-game winning streak right now if it wasn't for Jrue Holiday's game-winning basket last night. Miami is now on the second night of a back-to-back so they will be feeling a little fatigued. They are also playing their 5th game in seven days. Because of that, they have some crucial guys on the injury report like Jimmy Butler, PJ Tucker, Max Strus, and Caleb Martin. They are all questionable as Lowry remains out with Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo. It's been remarkable that Miami has been able to win games without a majority of their talent. Despite all that, they still have a great chance to cover this spread on the road.
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
Brooklyn's chances just skyrocketed as they are the underdogs at home. It's not a large spread at all but the Nets need to improve their play in Brooklyn. They are just (13-17) at home but a majority of that is because Irving and Durant haven't been available there. Miami is (20-15) on the road this year so they know how to get it done on any floor. The Nets need this win badly. A loss brings them back to even on the season which could hurt them during the playoffs. They need to get a win here with Durant back so that they can build off this game. Brooklyn's schedule doesn't get much easier as they have to face the Boston Celtics again (who blew them out the last two times) and followed by the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
If Jimmy Butler and PJ Tucker don't play for Miami, I like the Nets' chances of covering tonight because Durant should have no real defenders on him. He should be able to get back into his groove where he was considered an early MVP candidate before the injury.
Final Heat-Nets Prediction & Pick
This is a tough one to choose but I'm going to take the Nets at home here. I don't think Steve Nash would consider playing Durant if he wasn't back to or very close to 100%. With that said, take the Nets in this short spread at home.
Final Heat-Nets Pick: Nets +1.5 (-110)
