Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets 2010 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: The three kings lead the Miami Heat on the road to the New Orleans Arena to face the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night at 8:00 PM ET. The Heat are 4-1 and in 2nd place in the Southeast while the Hornets are an undefeated 4-0 and in 1st place in the Southwest of the Western Conference. Miami is averaging 100.6 points per game while New Orleans is right there with 100.5 but the big difference comes on the defensive end where the Heat are only giving up 84.0 points per game a 16.6 average margin of victory to the Hornets defense allowing 93.8 a 6.8 average margin. “It’s good to start 4-0, but with 78 more games to go we’re not going to be a team that allows our record to dictate how we play,” first-year head basketball coach Monty Williams on the teams record. Lebron James missed the Heats practice on Thursday with a shin buise but is expected to play Friday night against the Hornets. The odds makers at JustBET have the Miami Heat a -6 ½ point favorite on the road against the New Orleans Hornets.
The Heat was a winner most recently over the Timberwolves 129-97 for their 4th consecutive victory. Dwayne Wade led all scorers with 26 points and 2 time MVP LeBron James kicked in 20 points and 12 assists the most ever by a Heat forward. Although to me he’s playing the same “point forward” position that Scottie Pippen played with the Chicago Bulls during their run to 6 NBA Championships. Power forward Chris Bosh added 13 points and 6 boards. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +170 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
New Orleans beat the Houston Rockets on the road 107-99 behind the stellar play of point guard Chris Paul who scored 25 points had 7 rebounds and 8 assists on the night. ”We talked about being desperate – as desperate as they are – before the game,’’ Coach Williams said. ”Having a sense of urgency, going out there and executing your offense as if you were 0-3. I think our guys had that mentality tonight.” CP3 and the team will have to have that type of mentality to win against this loaded Heat team and their defensive mentality. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 187 1/2 points combined of the Miami Heat and New Orleans Hornets.
I predict a Heat victory on the road! Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NBA Predictions against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.