Geoff JohnsonLebron James and the Heat still have nightmares of the defeat in the finals against the Mavs in the summer; they know every time they play Dallas is an opportunity for revenge. Dallas and Miami meet this Thursday night at the American Airlines Arena at 8 PM ET.
The Heat is currently in “mini crisis” mode as they have lost their last two games in a row against the Thunder and Pacers; both as visitors. “Sometimes, you go through these spells in an NBA season, and it’s a struggle,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.
James is listed probable for the game against the Mavs as he is suffers from a dislocating the ring finger on his left, non-shooting, hand. “The only recovery for it, the doctors told me, was rest,” James said. “And I think we all know I’m having none of that.”
These two teams met on Christmas day with a 105-94 victory for Miami. It was a one sided game to be honest. “We’ve got to think back to Christmas Day because that was a miserable experience for us,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “That was really tough. I was watching some of it (Tuesday). They played terrific, and they were great that day, and we weren’t, and so we’re going to have to play a lot better.”
The Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 8-point favorites versus the Mavericks, with the game total sitting at 188½. The trends say Dallas is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Miami, and 14-3 SU in their last 17 games when playing Miami, but I just don’t see the Mavs winning this Thursday.
The Heat is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home, and they afford to lose another game in a row; take them to win the game and cover the spread.
