Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 3/17/2019

Sunday, March 17, 2019

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Charlotte Hornets travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Sunday, March 17, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 4 point favorites.

The Hornets have a record of 31-37. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -0.9 as they average 110.9 points per game while giving up 111.8 per contest. The Heat have an overall mark of 32-36. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They total 105.9 points per contest and give up 106.2, which is a point differential of -0.2.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 30-36-2 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 38-30-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 35-32-1 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 35-32-0 against the over/under

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

03/15/19 F Cody Zeller Knee is questionable Sunday vs Miami

Key Miami Heat Injuries

03/16/19 SF Justise Winslow Thigh injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Charlotte
03/16/19 G Dwyane Wade Hip injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Charlotte

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker comes into this contest averaging 25.2 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. Jeremy Lamb averages 15.1 points per game in 28.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Justise Winslow averages 12.7 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 63%. Josh Richardson averages 17.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 4.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 110.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.7 per game. The Hornets allow 111.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 25.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 25th in the league with 105.9 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 24.0. The Heat are 7th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Heat surrender 106.2 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 43.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 111.9, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 22nd. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 21st. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Charlotte is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league. The Heat are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.8, and their defensive rating of 108 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Miami -4

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