Betsided

Hornets vs. Heat Prediction and Odds (Miami Set to Roll While Eyeing No. 1 Seed)

By Reed Wallach

Mar 28, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) dribbles the basketball during
Mar 28, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) dribbles the basketball during / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The Eastern Conference playoff picture is starting to take shape, but a few key games still have to be played to help settle some key races, both at the top and bottom of the conference.

The first major domino to fall is the Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets game. The Heat are 2 games up on the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the East while the Hornets are currently the No. 9 seed, facing a single elimination Play-In game. There's room to go up to the No. 7 and 8 seed, but a win against the Heat will go a long way.

Here are the odds for this massive Eastern Conference showdown from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Hornets vs. Heat Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Hornets: +5.5 (-110)
  • Heat: -5.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Hornets: +180
  • Heat: -225

Total: 224 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Hornets vs. Heat Prediction and Pick

The Heat have had the Hornets number this entire season, winning all 3 contests this season, only one of which were by single digits.

The Hornets may appear to be the more motivated side considering they are trying to get to the double elimination portion of the Play-In game, but the Heat can make their life easier by wrapping up the No. 1 seed early in the week.

I expect we see Miami go all-in for this game, a win puts their magic number at 1 to wrap up th etop spot, and this is a playoff worthy opponent. I'd keep an eye on the injury report, but Miami has won four straight and is starting to find their form once again after a late March skid, the team may want to keep the positvie momentum rolling.

Charlotte has also struggled to beat elite competition all season. I noted above that they were 0-3 against Miami this season, but they are also 17-29 vs. teams above .500. This past Saturday, the team allowed 144 points to the 76ers in a 30-point loss.

I expect we see Miami's top five defensive in points allowed per 100 possessions show out and complete the season sweep of Charlotte.

LEAN: Miami -5.5

The NBA season is winding down, but the MLB season is starting up!

Get the BetSided team preview for the 2022 baseball season below.

Home/NBA Odds