The Miami Heat (1-1) get their home schedule started at AmericanAirlines Arena as 5-point favorites against the Charlotte Hornets (1-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports Carolina at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 20, 2018.
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last contest. The Heat (6-point underdogs) defeated the Washington Wizards 113-112, while the Hornets (3-point favorite) beat the Orlando Magic 120-88. The Miami game went 10 points over the projected point total of 215, while the Charlotte game went 14 points under the projected point total of 222.
Charlotte played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.185 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.560. For those same stats, Orlando had marks of 0.106 and 0.415, respectively. Miami, on the other hand, won the rebounding battle. The Heat had 22 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Wizards had seven and 40, respectively. Miami was lifted by Josh Richardson, who put up 28 points and five assists. Kemba Walker, meanwhile was a key piece for Charlotte with 26 points and five assists.
Miami could have their way on defense as they clash against one of the worst offenses in the NBA. Since last season, the Heat rank fifth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.506), while Charlotte is 25th in effective field goal percentage (0.509). Furthermore, the Hornets, who rank first in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.231), will battle against the Heat, who rank 29th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.220).
The Hornets have had records of 37-47 straight up (SU) and 36-44-3 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Charlotte games since last season with 44 overs compared to 39 unders.
Meanwhile, the Heat, have records of 45-39 SU and 50-34 ATS since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Miami games over that same period with 45 unders compared to 39 overs.
The Heat dominated this series last year, winning all four games. In the most recent contest, Miami won 95-91. Miami’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Charlotte. The Heat had a rate of 0.494 while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.375.
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Heat, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- he Heat rank 14th in points in the paint per game (44.6) while the Hornets rank 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.3).
- iami ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.3) while Charlotte ranks 25th (24.7).
- he Hornets rank third in rebounds per game (45.5) while the Heat rank 17th (43.6).
- harlotte ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Miami ranks 14th (7.6).
- iami averages 30.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Charlotte ranks 18th in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
- he Hornets rank 10th in second chance points per game (13.1) while the Heat rank 25th (11.2).
- he Hornets rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.6) while the Heat rank 15th (16.1).
- iami is 26th in the NBA with 9.7 fast break points per game while Charlotte is 28th with 9.3 fast break points per game.
- iami ranks sixth in blocks per game (5.4) while Charlotte ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- harlotte is 14-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Miami is 27-6.
- he Heat are 34-22 when they score more than 100 points, while the Hornets are 36-24.
