The NBA regular season continues with games on Wednesday. The Portland Trail Blazers will travel to take on the Miami Heat. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Blazers-Heat prediction and pick.

These two teams have had very different starts to the season. The Portland Trail Blazers are 18-25 but have won four of their last five games and are coming off back-to-back wins. While the Miami Heat are 28-16 and have won five of their last six matches. This should be an interesting match between two teams playing well recently.

Here are the Blazers-Heat NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: Blazers-Heat Odds

Portland Trail Blazers: +10 (-110) 

Miami Heat: -10 (-110)

Over: 212.5 (-110)

Under: 212.5 (-110)

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Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread

The Portland Trail Blazers have had a rather disappointing start to the year. While they have struggled with injuries and COVID absences, they have also struggled to win games. Through the first half of the season, the Blazers have only won 18 games and have lost 25. However, recently things have started to change for Portland. The Blazers have won four of their last five games, including back-to-back wins. Their most recent victory came over the Orlando Magic by 10. CJ McCollum has finally returned for this team and it seems like things may be changing.

The Blazers put in a solid all-around performance against the Magic. Most notably, they took advantage of all their free throw opportunities. Portland got to the line 18 times that game and converted on 17 of their attempts. Orlando, on the other hand, took 20 free throws and only made 12. Additionally, Jusuf Nurkic had a monster game for Portland. Nurkic scored 21 points and even more impressively grabbed 22 rebounds. Nurkic was one of five Blazers to score double-digit points in their win. If Portland can carry that same energy and momentum into Wednesday's game then they could come out ahead.

Both COVID and injuries have been crippling to this Portland team. While CJ McCollum may have finally returned to action, the Blazers are far from healthy. Portland currently has six players listed on their injury report. Of those players, one is listed as probable and one is listed as questionable, however, the remaining four players will be out for Wednesday's game. Among the unavailable players are Norman Powell, Larry Nance Jr., and Cody Zeller. While these may not be new injuries to the team, their effects are clearly lingering. Portland has an uphill battle on Wednesday.

Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread

The Miami Heat have been a very good team this year. Like everyone else they have had to deal with numerous unavailable players, however, they have done a great job at overcoming their adversity. Through the first half of the season, they have managed to win 28 games and lose only 16. Like the Blazers, the Heat have won five of their last six matches. Their most recent win came against the Toronto Raptors. In Bam Adebayo's first game back since November, the Heat were able to secure a win against a tough Toronto team. If the Heat can build on that performance then they will have no problem extending their win streak.

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While Bam Adebayo may have had an underwhelming return to action, the Heat team as a whole played a solid game against the Raptors. Much like Portland, their biggest edge came from the free-throw line. Most metrics were close between the Raptors and the Heat, but Miami really pulled ahead from the stripe. The Heat made 19 of their 22 free throw attempts compared to only 12 of 17 from Toronto. Their ability to get to the line and convert at a high percentage allowed them to pull ahead in a close match. While Wednesday's game may not end up as close, this advantage could stay with Miami.

Injuries have been crippling this Miami team all season. Jimmy Butler has missed time, Bam Adebayo had been out since November, however, Miami is finally creeping towards a healthy roster. They currently have four players listed on their injury report, but none are new additions. Headlining the unavailable players are Kyle Lowry and Markieff Morris. Even without these guys the Heat are a competitive team and should be able to pull out a win on Wednesday.

Final Blazers-Heat Prediction & Pick

This is an interesting pick. What makes this difficult is just how wide the spread is. On paper, the Heat should have no problem dismantling the Blazers, but there is something about this Portland team lately. The Blazers have been competitive in areas that you wouldn't guess. With that said, Portland could be due for a reality check on Wednesday. The Heat are the better team and they should be your pick. Pick Miami to win and cover.

FINAL BLAZERS-HEAT PICK:  Miami Heat -10 (-110)

FINAL BLAZERS-HEAT SCORE PREDICTION: Heat 112 – Blazers 100