Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder 2011 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: MVP LeBron James will lead the hobbled Miami Heat on the road to the Ford Center to take on NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET on ABC Sports. The Thunder have won 2 in a row and enter the game 30-16 1st in the Northwest while the Heat won their last game and come in at 32-14 1st in the Southeast. Miami has suffered through injuries to most of their starters at one point or another in the season and currently Chris Bosh has missed several games with an ankle injury and Dwayne Wade has suffered migraines as well as a sore wrist. Both All Stars have made the trip to Oklahoma City which would lead one to think they will play. “Health is No. 1,” James said. “We know we have to be healthy.”
The Thunder swept the series against the heat last season largely due to the play of Kevin Durant who continues to improve as an overall player. “I know I’ve grown as a player,” Durant said. “I don’t need anybody else to stamp that for me. I know I’ve grown. I’ve just got to continue to keep pushing and play within the team.” The odds makers at Diamond have the Miami Heat a -2 1/2 point favorite on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Heat are coming off an 88-87 victory at home needing 2 free throws down the stretch to defeat the Detroit Pistons moving them to 20-25-1 ATS for the season. Forward LeBron James had another impressive outing scoring 39 points 8 rebounds and 9 assists while Wade and Bosh sat out to recuperate. Guard Mike Miller starting in their absence poured in 12 points pulled down 10 boards and dished 4 dimes while Eddie House scored 15 points off the bench including the game winner free throws. Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
It took 2 overtimes but the Thunder held on to beat the Washington Wizards 124-117 at home to move to 23-23 ATS for the season. Forward Kevin Durant poured in 40 points and point guard Russell Westbrook had another triple double with 35 points 13 rebounds and 13 assists. The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing at home against Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 202 1/2 points combined of the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder.
I predict a Heat victory on the road!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.