March is the month in which contenders separate from pretenders. Few teams have been more impressive recently than the Miami Heat. Only once have they lost with NBA games betting odds in their last ten games. Defense is what has made the Heat stay hot as a gambling commodity. On the other hand, offense is what will likely prevent a deep Miami playoff run. Head coach Terry Stotts has the Portland Trailblazers playing great defense too. Damian Lillard adds the element of offense that makes Portland profitable. Few teams are making gamblers as happy as the Blazers.
Miami Heat vs. Portland Trailblazers
Date and Time: Monday, March 12, 2018 10:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | +6½ (-110) | 209 (-110) |  |
| Trailblazers | -6½ (-110) | 209 (-110) | |
| |||
Heat vs. Trailblazers TV Coverage: ESPN
Portland
With eight payouts in their last nine games Portland is on fire. Under the total has paid in six of their last eight with the NBA games betting odds. Most noteworthy was a 125-108 home cover against defending NBA champ Golden State. No win this season meant more to the Blazers. And important street cred was made with gamblers in the process. Defensively Portland ranks fifth best in the Association. Also, of note is that they have lost just 13 out of 33 home games vs. the odds. Terry Stotts has emerged as an upper level type coach.
Miami
Miami has also been in good form with just one loss in ten games with the line. Just three of their last ten games have gone under the total. Key to their success is a defense that ranks fourth in the NBA. Offsetting that is an offense that ranks 27th in the league. While the Heat are seventh in the Eastern standings their playoff spot is secure. But unless they find more scoring advancing will be problematic. Head coach Erik Spoelstra deserves credit for maintaining competitiveness is the post “Three Kings” era.
Big Names on Court
Damian Lillard is a three-time NBA All Star and Blazer team captain. Averaging a team best 27 points per game he also adds seven assists per outing. Also pitching in for Portland is CJ McCollum with 22 points per tilt. Goran Dragic is Miami’s top scorer with 17.1 points per contest. Alarming to all is the lack of help Dragic is getting. Second in scoring for the Heat is Dion Walters at a modest 14 points per game.
Team vs Team
Portland has dominated the sportsbook cashier’s cage with four straight payouts vs. Miami. Under the total hit in three of those four games. Moda Center has seen the Blazers get the money in their last three meetings with the Heat. All three games stayed under the number.
Matchup to Watch
While both teams are strong defensively Lillard is the difference maker in the matchup. Few players are as big of an asset with NBA games betting odds. Miami simply cannot match the Blazers scoring ability and depth. Fresh off their “coming out party” win over the champs Portland’s confidence is high.
Heat vs. Trailblazers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Western Conference rivals had better wake up to the threat that is Portland. Seems like the Blazers are a team on the rise.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Portland Trailblazers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Trailblazers 104, Heat 91
Check out highlights of the Blazers win over Golden State!