Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Predictions, Betting Odds & Picks

• The Indiana Pacers will be looking to get their first playoff series win against the Miami Heat since 2004.
• The Miami Heat won the season series 3-1.
• The feud between TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler continues!

Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Odds

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Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Predictions and Picks

The Heat won the season series 3-1 on the back of their more diversified offensive scheme. It’ll be a hard-fought, defensive battle where we see the Heat coming out the victor.

Picks:

Miami Heat to beat Indiana Pacers-195

Miami -4.5 -112

Under 216 -109

How to Watch Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

Head-to-Head: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

Who Will Rise to the Occasion for Miami?

The Miami Heat are a great team who are missing that singular piece that can swing a game in their favor. Jimmy Butler is the team’s leading scorer, but not one player on the Heat averages 20 points per game.

All eyes are on Jimmy Butler to be a leader, but he’s only a career 17.3 point per game scorer in the playoffs. It will be up to his playmaking ability to make up for his scoring limitations, on top of the aggressive play of veteran point guard Goran Dragic.

What the Heat will get out of their young pieces is still up in the air. First-time All-Star Bam Adebayo, rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro, and sniper Duncan Robinson are all untested in the playoffs. What they can produce behind Dragic and Butler will define this series.

Can the Pacers Rely on Oladipo?

Victor Oladipo played in six of the Pacers’ eight seeding games. He was productive in that time, averaging 16 points and 5.7 rebounds on 40% shooting from the field.

Where the Pacers need Oladipo to be though is far from where he is at in this moment. Oladipo was one of the leagues brightest stars in the league before his season-ending injury in 2019. Since the then, the Pacers have been missing a leader in the clutch.

Through the restart, the Pacers have relied on the brilliant play of TJ Warren. However, to take down the Heat, Oladipo must remind the league that he is the face of the franchise.

Heat Key Player: (G) Tyler Herro

There’s not much @raf_tyler isn’t doing tonight:

? ? 27 Points & counting pic.twitter.com/z8L8qI9Thj

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 13, 2020

Miami Heat rookie guard Tyler Herro was their most impressive player of the season restart. With an increased role in the offense, Herro took advantage of the opportunity.

The Wisconsin native averaged 17.3 points on 50.5% from the field and 37.8% from three. While never shy on offense, Herro’s efficiency was promising sign going into the playoffs.

He’s individual ability to create offense is promising to say the least. It’ll be tough to rely on a rookie in the playoffs, but with limited options, Herro may be a game-changer.

Pacers Key Player: (C) Myles Turner

.@Original_Turner‘s double-double led the way ??

18 PTS | 12 REB pic.twitter.com/vucS8pM3ZO

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 13, 2020

With All-Star Domantas Sabonis out for the remainder of the season, all eyes are on 24-year-old big man Myles Turner to be the difference-maker for the Pacers.

A mobile defensive center with range out to the three-point line, Turner’s production has been nice but certainly has room to improve.

Turner’s production has been rather consistent regardless of wins or losses. However, he shoots just 30.3% from three in losses versus 37.6% in wins. Dragging centers like Adebayo and Olynyk to the three-point line will do wonders to swing the game in the Pacers’ favour.