2012 NBA Playoff Picks: Game 6 Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Odds and Predictions

2012 NBA Playoff Picks: Game 6 Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Odds and Predictions – Free NBA Picks: The Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between second-seeded Miami and third-seeded Indiana has been much more competitive and more physical than many expected, with the Pacers taking a 2-1 lead at one point. However, the Heat has battled back to take 3-2 lead, and as the series shifts to Indiana, Miami has a chance to close out the Pacers in Game 6. Given the results of the last two games, there is a good chance the Heat will do just that Thursday night. Even without Chris Bosh, Miami has taken control of the tempo. In fact, the Heat is a 3 ½-point favorite on the road as the Pacers face possible elimination on their home court.

It’s hard to belief that Indiana appeared to have the upper hand in this series heading into halftime of Game 4. Dwyane Wade was struggling, LeBron James looked gassed, and the Miami supporting cast was missing in action. A hard foul by Indiana center Roy Hibbert on Wade suddenly changed the complexion of the series. The foul lit a fire under Wade, and he and James single-handedly powered Miami to a Game 4 victory. The dynamic duo continued their strong play in Game 5, and the Heat shot more than 60 percent from the field in a runaway win. Perhaps the most-telling stat is that Miami has outscored the Pacers by 48 points since Hibbert’s foul on Wade.

Miami has also made the better adjustments throughout the series. James was worn down in Game 2 and Game 3 from his defensive assignment against Indiana’s top scorer Danny Granger. The Heat switched to a defensive rotation on Granger in Game 4, and James has responded with two monster games. In addition, Miami has put small forward Shane Battier on Indiana power forward David West. What seems like a mismatch in favor of the Pacers on paper has been a huge plus for the Heat. West has been able to overpower Battier, and his offensive game has suffered. Overall, Miami’s switch to a smaller, faster lineup has allowed them to recapture the momentum and crack an Indiana defense that stifled the Heat in Game 2 and Game 3.

If there is a silver lining for Indiana, it is the one-game suspension for Miami forward Udonis Haslem. After delivering a hard foul in retaliation for an earlier foul on Wade, Haslem was suspended for Game 6. Already missing, Bosh, the Heat’s frontcourt will be even thinner Thursday and will be lacking almost any scoring option. However, the loss of Haslem is also sure to be a motivating factor for the Heat. After all, he was playing the role of enforcer, sticking up for one of the team’s star player. Haslem had Wade’s back after he was cut open by a hard foul, and Wade and company are going to do everything they can to have Haslem’s back in Game 6. We have already seen what angering Wade can lead to thanks to Hibbert’s Game 4 foul, and it has been nothing but trouble for the Pacers.

When this series began, it definitely appeared that Miami weren’t taking the Pacers seriously. However, Indiana has since gotten the attention of the Heat and even gone the next step and ticked off Wade and James. Miami looks refocused and reenergized, and the Pacers just haven’t been able to keep pace. Even with a depleted frontcourt, the Heat’s athleticism on both ends of the court will end Indiana’s season.

Prediction: Miami Heat (-3 ½) Covers the Spread

Current Odds: Favorite – Miami -3 Total – OVER/UNDER 182

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