The Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Miami Heat to the Moda Center. Action begins at 10:00 pm ET on Saturday, Apr. 2 and can be seen on SUN and CNW.
The Trail Blazers enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Celtics 116-109 on Thursday. Al-Farouq Aminu was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points on 11-for-19 shooting. The Heat, meanwhile, are coming off a 112-106 win against the Kings on Friday. Gerald Green led the game in scoring by registering 30 points on 11-for-19 shooting.
Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade have upped their production over the last five games for the Heat. Whiteside has averaged 17.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 3.6 blocks during that stretch, while Wade has put up 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Heat winning the first matchup 116-109. Damian Lillard was the top overall scorer in the game with 32 points.
The Trail Blazers come into this game 40-36 Straight Up (SU) and 42-34 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 40-36 SU and 42-34 ATS against the Eastern Conference.
As for their opponent, the Heat have 44-31 SU and 39-35-1 ATS records. Against the Western Conference, Miami is 44-31 SU and 39-35-1 ATS. Offensively, the Heat have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 99.8 points per game by averaging 109.4 during that stretch. The Heat average 98.3 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 108.0 points per game during that span. Blocking shots is an area where Miami has excelled. The Heat average 6.6 blocks per game, best in the league. One advantage for the Heat could be Portland’s high fouls per game average of 22.2.
Miami beat Portland in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 7-3. The Heat also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mia
Notes
“Portland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 16 of Portland’s last 24 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland’s last 5 games “.
“Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 8 of Portland’s last 12 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland’s last 5 games at home”.
“Portland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami”.
“Portland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami”.
“The total has gone OVER in 9 of Portland’s last 12 games when playing Miami”.
“Portland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami”.
Portland averages 104.7 points per game (ranked sixth). However, Miami has allowed an average of just 98.3 points per game (ranked fourth).
Miami has allowed an average of 98.5 points per away game this season. Portland averages 107.8 points per home game, placing the team third in scoring.
Portland has an exceptional 20-5 record when it allows under 100 points this season. Miami is 15-21 when it puts up under 100.
The Portland Trail Blazers have an underachieving 20-31 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Miami Heat are 29-10 when they hit triple digits.
Portland’s offense and Miami’s defense both rank seventh this season. Portland has an offensive rating of 106.3 and Miami has a defensive rating of 102.0.
The Portland Trail Blazers average 98.5 possessions and 1.063 points per possession in games this season. The Miami Heat average fewer possessions with 95.2, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.048.
The Portland Trail Blazers have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking ninth in the league with an EFF% of 50.9%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Miami Heat have a poor 12-19 record.
On average, Portland attempts 28.0 three pointers and Miami attempts 18.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Trail Blazers have a 32-25 record while the Heat have a losing 1-4 record.
Portland has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.52 this season (ranked 22nd). Miami ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.57 (ranked 19th).
Portland ranks near the top of the NBA for rebounds at fifth (45.8 per game), while Miami ranks 12th with 44.1 per game.
Portland is ranked seventh in defensive rebounds, while Miami ranks 22nd in offensive rebounds.
The Portland Trail Blazers’ opponents have an average turnover percentage of 12.8% this season. The Miami Heat are 21-26 SU when their TOV% is 12.8% or higher.
