Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Pick

NBA Betting Trends

If there was ever any question about LeBron James’ MVP credentials they should have all been answered given his performance over the past six games. In Miami’s 117-104 victory over Portland on Tuesday night as an 11-point home favorite, he scored more than 30 points while shooting at least 60 percent from the field for the sixth-straight game to set a new NBA record. During this amazing run, the Heat are 6-0 straight-up and 4-2 against the spread.

They now head back on the road where they have struggled at times this season with an overall record of 12-11 SU (10-13 ATS). In a recent four-game road trip they went just 2-2 SU and ATS. The total has gone OVER in five of their last seven games overall. Overall, Miami is still one of the highest scoring teams in the league with an average of 103.1 points a game while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and 38.6 percent from three-point range.

The Thunder come into this potential NBA Finals preview fresh off a 109-94 loss to Utah as 5.5-point favorites on the road. Perhaps they got caught looking ahead to Thursday’s showdown considering they had won their previous four games both SU and ATS. Overall, Oklahoma City is 39-13 SU and a profitable 31-19-2 ATS. It remains one of the best home teams in the league at 23-3 SU and 18-8 ATS. The total has gone OVER in five of its last seven games.

Look for both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to elevate their games in an effort to outshine James in what should be a very high scoring affair. Durant leads the Thunder with 29 points a game and Westbrook is chipping-in another 22.5 points and eight assists a game. Kevin Martin has been a welcomed addition off the bench with 15.1 points a game. With scoring firepower like that, it is little wonder that Oklahoma City is ranked second in the NBA with an average of 106.2 points a game.

Prediction

The first time they met this season Miami came away with a 103-97 win as a 2.5-point home favorite. James’ current form will keep this a back-and-forth battle until the end, but stick with the Thunder to even the score with a tight win at home.

Oklahoma City 108 Miami 105