The Miami Heat will head up to Charlotte to take on the Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Friday. The Heat were one of the hottest stories of the deadline as they acquired star shooting guard Victor Oladipo from the Houston Rockets. What was especially impressive was that they accomplished this feat without losing Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro. However, they're looking to snap a five-game losing streak in Charlotte, and Jimmy Butler is dealing with a stomach illness. The Hornets will be without superstar LaMelo Ball in the second matchup of the season between these two. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Heat-Hornets prediction and pick.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Heat-Hornets odds.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Bucks Odds
Miami Heat -1 (-105)
Charlotte Hornets +1 (-115)
Over 215.5 Points (-110)
Under 215.5 Points(-110)
Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread
Miami has had a crazy season. Coming off their NBA Finals appearance just last season, the Heat started extremely slow out of the gate. Although they are riding a five-game losing streak, they are in the playoff picture thanks in large part to the play of team leaders Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler is averaging 21.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. Adebayo is averaging 19.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Tyler Herro is the team's third player averaging double figures, though his shooting has been a disappointment this season.
The Miami Heat have played very well against the Hornets of late, going 9-4 SU in their last 13 against Charlotte. They are also 4-1 ATS in their last five head-to-head and 9-3 SU in their last 13 against Eastern Conference opponents. With no LaMelo Ball for the Hornets, the Heat have a huge problem off their hands in this matchup. He has been the facilitator for the Hornets all year and leaves a huge gap in the offense.
Butler traveled with the team after missing Thursday night's tough loss to the Portland Trail Blazers with his illness. Assuming he's good to go, that gives Miami a major boost.
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
The Hornets have been one of the most improved teams in the league this season. With the acquisitions of Gordon Hayward through free agency and LaMelo Ball through the draft, this team has entered the playoff race in 2021. The Hornets are 23-19-1 ATS and have been hot of late. Charlotte is 6-3 SU in the last nine. They have been especially good at home, going 7-1 SU in their last eight in Charlotte. They are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven against Southeast Division opponents, which is promising entering this matchup with a division foe.
Charlotte has been lights out on the offensive end, ranking No. 5 in the league in 3-point percentage. They play with a ton of speed and ball movement. Getting contributions from many guys on the roster, the Hornets have an opportunity to put up elite offensive production every night. They have struggled on the defensive end, but have been much better on that end at the Spectrum Center. They won the first matchup of the season by eight points, despite entering that game as 7.5-point underdogs.
Miami will be without Goran Dragic and Victor Oladipo, and we'll see about Jimmy Butler.
Final Heat-Hornets Prediction & Pick
The Heat have made splashes and have a good chance of making a deep playoff run again. The addition of Victor Oladipo is huge for this team. However, the Heat will struggle on the offensive end at times with a shorthanded roster in Charlotte. The Hornets' recent success at home is promising for them as well. They match up well with Miami and have been the better team this season. As a slight home underdog, I see Charlotte pulling off an outright W.
FINAL PICK: Charlotte Hornets +1 (-115)
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