The Miami Heat were one of the great NBA Playoffs betting surprises in 2020. To illuminate, the Heat won the Eastern Conference championship. Although the Heat lost the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, they won gambling respect. Last year the Heat surrendered some credibility with a lackluster regular season. Additionally, Miami lost more credibility with a first-round playoff exit. Now, Miami has restored its status as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Subsequently, the Heat are among the top favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Sharps see them as a reliable wagering value.
2022 NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat Preview
| Date and Time: | Playoffs Begin on April 16, 2022 |
|---|
Miami Heat odds at SBG:
| Heat | Odds |
|---|---|
| NBA Championship | +1125 |
| Eastern Conference Championship | +500 |
Miami Heat Playoff History
Of course, the 2019-20 Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference championship for the first time since 2014. Now the question is if the Heat can reach new heights. Above all, the Heat seemed to be at the right place at the right time when they made the NBA Finals. Milwaukee imploded that season. At the same time, the Toronto Raptors had lost Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers.
But with president Pat Riley and Spoelstra in charge, the Heat are considered by sharps to be a team that can once again make a run at the Eastern Conference title. In sum, Miami has three NBA titles in its history. The Heat have been one of the most successful expansion franchises in the Association since opening their doors in 1988.
Miami Heat Regular Season Overview
At the beginning, Miami is not the biggest sportsbook favorite to win the 2022 NBA championship. Miami is holding the attention of sharps for that very reason. The Heat combines strong play with a lack of public support for highly profitable wagering value.
Miami closed the regular season strong with five covers in their last six games. Also, Miami went over the NBA odds total in eight of their last ten games. In sum, the Miami Heat have a record of 52-28 straight up, 45-34-1 against the spread, and 48-32 over/under the total. Miami ranks 17th for scoring offense, 21st for offensive rebounds, 3rd for points allowed, and 1st for defensive rebounding.
Miami Heat Key Players
First, forward Jimmy Butler is a 6-time NBA All-Star. He was a first-round draft pick out of Marquette by the Chicago Bulls, where he played from 2011 to 2017. Since arriving at Miami in 2019, Butler has sparked a franchise renaissance. Butler led the Heat with 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season.
And then center Bam Adebayo is another important player for the Heat. Adebayo was the 14th overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft out of Kentucky by the Heat and was a 2020 NBA All-Star. This season Adebayo led Miami with 19.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. Additionally, guard Tyler Herro brought 20.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this season. Herro was the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Kentucky.
Miami Heat Head Coach
Namely, Erik Spoelstra is one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA. Spoelstra was a prodigy coach that helped lead the Heat to two NBA championships during the “Three Kings” era. Skeptics derided Spoelstra as someone that was merely along for the ride. Following the departure of LeBron James, Spoelstra proved just how good he was as a head coach. He was able to keep the Heat competitive. Miami’s 2020 Eastern Conference championship was the best testament to the acumen of Spoelstra.