Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 10/21/2017

Saturday, October 21, 2017

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Indiana Pacers travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 8.5 point favorites.

The Pacers come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 42-40. They were 3rd in the Central Division. They had a point differential of -0.2 as they averaged 105.1 points per game while giving up 105.3 per contest. The Heat had an overall mark of 41-41 last year. They were 3rd in the Southeast Division. They averaged 103.2 points per contest and gave up 102.1, which was a point differential of 1.1.

Valuable Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers were 39-43-0 against the spread last season

The Indiana Pacers were 41-41-0 against the over/under last year

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat were 49-33-0 against the spread last season

The Miami Heat were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

10/19/17 F Myles Turner Neck is "?" Friday vs. Portland
09/29/17 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

10/14/17 G Rodney McGruder Tibia out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Myles Turner comes into this contest after averaging 14.5 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 7.3 rebounds per game and dished out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 51% while his free throw percentage finished at 81%. Victor Oladipo averaged 15.9 points per game in 33.2 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 2.6 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 44% for the year while his free throw percentage was 75%.

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside averaged 17 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 14.1 rebounds per game and had 0.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 56% and his free throw percentage was at 63%. Goran Dragic averaged 20.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 33.7 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3.8 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 48% and his free throw percentage was 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana averaged 105.1 points per contest last season, which ranked them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was -0.22 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a team, which had them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shot 38% which was good for 4th in the league. They averaged 42 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game, which ranked them 27th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 15th with 13.8 per game. The Pacers allowed 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 14th in the league. They also allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.3 rebounds a game which ranked 21st and they gave up 22.3 assists per contest, which put them in 11th place in the league. They forced 14.9 turnovers per game which ranked them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami was 22nd in the league with 103.2 points per game last year. They were 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin was 1.06. They shot 37% from 3-point range, which was good for 12th in the NBA. They were 16th in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 21.2. The Heat were 20th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Heat surrendered 102.1 points per contest, which ranked them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 2nd with 19.6 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat were 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers were 15th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 108.6 was ranked 16th. They were 18th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% was 13th. As a unit they were 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA. Indiana was 14th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami was 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 50%, which was 27th in the league. The Heat were 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.8, and their defensive rating of 106.7 was ranked 26th. In terms of pace they were 21st in the league with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% was 15th. As a team they were 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pacers/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Miami -8.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn