The Heat and Pacers face off for the second time this season after Miami won the first matchup 142-116. These teams have different goals this year, but any team can win a singular game in the NBA.
Miami enters this matchup as a 6.5-point favorite and -250 on the moneyline, while Indiana is +205 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 235.5 points.
Here’s a preview, prediction and pick for Saturday’s Heat vs. Pacers matchup.
Heat vs. Pacers prediction, preview
The Heat are in play-in range yet again, but the team hasn’t been fully healthy all season. Tyler Herro has dealt with injuries that’s limited him to just seven games. Norman Powell has stepped up big time, proving he belongs in the All-Star game, a year after barely missing it.
Miami’s stars are healthy tonight as Herro, Powell and Bam Adebayo are set to play against the Pacers. That makes for significant advantage as Indiana is already one of the worst squads in the NBA. At 7-31, the Pacers lost 13 straight before Thursday’s victory over the Hornets.
Without Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, the team is reliant on Pascal Siakam and role players stepping up. It hasn’t been enough, and tonight shouldn’t be any different. The Heat won the first matchup by nearly 30 points on Dec. 27. Neither Herro nor Adebayo played in this game, yet the Heat still dominated.
There are too many quality role players in Miami for Indiana to keep up. That remains the case in this game, but the Pacers will also have to contain all three of Herro, Powell and Adebayo.
Heat vs. Pacers pick, best bet
The Pacers broke their 13-game losing streak, but this isn’t the beginning of a win streak. Indiana is already a weak roster, and it’ll be without Bennedict Mathurin tonight. Andrew Nembhard enters with a questionable tag, so even if he plays, he may not be at full capacity.
All this paired with a a healthy Heat lineup? That’s recipe for a major Miami victory.