Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/9/2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Barclays Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat head to Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, December 9, 2017. The opening line for this game has Miami as 2.5 point favorites.

The Heat head into this matchup with a mark of 11-13. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -4.0 as they are averaging 100.2 points per contest while giving up 104.2 per game. The Nets have an overall mark of 10-14. They currently are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 109.4 points per contest and giving up 111.5, which is a point differential of -2.1.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 8-14-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 9-13-2 against the over/under

Important Brooklyn Nets Betting Trends

The Brooklyn Nets are 16-8-0 against the spread

The Brooklyn Nets are 11-12-1 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

11/30/17 C Hassan Whiteside Knee is out indefinitely

Key Brooklyn Nets Injuries

12/08/17 F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Ankle injured last game, is probable Saturday vs Miami
12/08/17 C Jahlil Okafor Acquired is "?" Saturday vs Miami
11/13/17 PG D'Angelo Russell Knee is out indefinitely
10/19/17 PG Jeremy Lin Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic comes into this game averaging 17.2 points per contest while playing 32 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 80%. Dion Waiters averages 15.4 points per contest in 31.1 minutes per game this year. He averages 3.8 assists per game and 2.5 rebounds per contest for Miami. His field goal percentage is 40% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has scored 14.2 points per contest while playing 27.3 minutes per game this season for the Nets. He hauls in 5.5 rebounds per contest and has 2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. DeMarre Carroll averages 13.6 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 29.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.1 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averages 100.2 points per contest this year, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 41.4 boards per contest and 21.1 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 4th with 16.3 per game. The Heat allow 104.2 points per contest which is 14th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 24th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they allow 20.5 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Brooklyn is 5th in the NBA with 109.4 points per contest this season. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -2.17. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.7 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 22.9. The Nets are 10th in turnovers per contest with 15.9. The Nets give up 111.5 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 17th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 21.6 dimes allowed per game and 30th with 47 boards surrendered per contest. The Nets are 6th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.5, and their defensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league. Miami is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Brooklyn is 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league. The Nets are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.7, and their defensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 19th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Miami -2.5

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