The San Antonio Spurs will put their four game winning streak on the line Tuesday night when they travel to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. San Antonio is invincible at home thus far this season, but has been vulnerable on the road with a 15-8 record away from the ATT Center.
NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Antonio Spurs -6.5
Miami Heat +6.5
Over/Under: 194
LOOK AHEAD
With the All-Star Break approaching, both the Spurs and the Heat are trying to win what they have left before a week long rest. Miami is fortunate in that this is its last game before the break. San Antonio isn't so fortunate, with another road game in Orlando the night after playing Miami on Tuesday.
KEY MATCHUP
It looks like Tim Duncan will continue to rest his knee until after the All-Star Break and with Manu Ginobili out as well, it is going to be up to Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to carry the Spurs.
Leonard has shown a legitimate outside game for the first time in his career. After failing to crack the 38 percent mark for the first four years of his career, Leonard is now shooting 47.1 percent from three-point land and is also shooting the best he ever has at the free throw line in knocking down 87.4 percent of his freebies this season.
Meanwhile, Aldridge has been just what the Spurs wanted him to be when he was signed in free agency. He doesn't have to be relied upon to carry the team like he was in Portland so his numbers have dipped, but he is just as efficient. Aldridge is averaging 16.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and has been the reason the Spurs don't miss a beat with Duncan sidelined.
For Miami, the story is Hassan Whiteside. When healthy and motivated, Whiteside is a terror to match up against. He showed his dominance against Charlotte last week, putting up his third triple double of the season with his 10th block essentially sealing the game for the Heat. Whiteside was held out of practice Monday with an ankle injury but is expected to suit up and play against the Spurs Tuesday night.
LIVE BETTING SCENARIO
The Spurs have been a great team to back on the road this season with a 14-9 record ATS but have skidded recently going 1-3 ATS in their last four road games. The under has been the better side to back when San Antonio is playing away from home with a 12-10-1 mark.
Miami has been a marginal team to back at home against the number this year, with a mark of 12-13-1 ATS in American Airlines Arena. Where bettors make their money with the Heat has been the under with it 34-17-1 in Miami games to date and 17-9 when at home.
With the All-Star Break right around the corner, motivation is going to be a key factor in this one. Both teams are mostly made up of veterans ready for the break so it will be up to the young guns to carry the day. Whiteside has been great in the limited minutes he's on the floor, but is also very mercurial and sometimes feuds with Dwyane Wade.
The Spurs have no such problems under Popovich and it's been smooth sailing with the addition of Aldridge. If the Heat have any chance, Whiteside needs to play 30 minutes and be the force he can be in the paint. Watch him early and if he plays this way take the Heat on the readjusted pointspread. Otherwise, back the Spurs.
Either way, expect a low scorer from the opening tip with both sides looking forward to the extra time off.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Bet on the NBA today as the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat square off Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET at the American Airlines Arena. The matchup will be televised nationally on TNT.
