Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 29, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Two teams off to great early starts – but doing it in completely different ways – tip off Friday night in South Beach. The Heat host the Hornets at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Heat 100, Hornets 96

Best Bets

Charlotte +6

Under

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Predictions

Both the Hornets and Heat jumped out to great early starts, each with just one loss. They play at completely different tempo and opposite styles, but it’s clearly worked. Miami is defense- first. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayao added P.J. Tucker to sure up the defense.

Nothing is easy against Miami, as teams are shooting under 40 percent and are lucky to even sniff 100 points. Butler is so dangerous as he can pace the offense, alongside shooters like Duncan Robinson andTyler Herro. The Heat will win the game and hold Charlotte to less than 100, but the Hornets are doing something else that’s also working, scoring.

Miles Bridges and LaMello Ball lead one of the league’s high-flying offenses, cracking the 120 mark in four of five games. Bridges has led the way, all without Terry Rozier for four games, andP.J. Washington for the last two.

The Hornets might get Rozier back for the Heat game, which should further push the Hornets towards covering the spread. Charlotte is good enough offensively to keep with Miami, even if the total score is low.

The Hornets only dropped one game, both SU and ATS. Bridges is on another planet averaging 26 points and 8 rebounds through five games. He comes off a 31-point performance against the Magic and should be able to put pressure on Tucker.

Ball is also pulling his weight, 19.5 points and 6 assists per-game, Ball has been a staple in the offense and in the absence of Rozier. The ability for Charlotte to consistently score, keeps them in every game.

The Heat are built on defensive pillars but can get to plenty of points in a hurry. Beyond their ability to shoot or slash, the Heat have been making it uncomfortable for opponents at the three. Opponents are shooting just under 28.6 percent from three.

Adebayo is averaging a double-double each night, and Herro is pouring in 21 points per game. Newcomer Kyle Lowrysettled in after dealing with injury. Both of these teams did beat Brooklyn but went about it different ways.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Hornets +195
• Heat -240
• Hornets +6 (-110)
• Heat -6 (-110)

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Betting Resources

• Matchup: Southeast
• Date: Friday, October 29, 2021
• Venue: FTX Arena
• Location: Miami, Florida
• TV-Time: ESPN - 7:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Charlotte Hornets Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 4-1
• ATS: 4-1
• O/U: 4-1

Charlotte has a true test in both their offensive production and how long they can play with injuries. Not having two starters may work against the Magic, but Bridges will need help up against the Heat defense.

The Heat aren’t going to explode on this Hornets defense, either, as Charlotte can play to a slower pace but still score points. Gordon Hayward has stepped up scoring in Rozier’s absence, taking 14 shots and scoring 18.4 points per-game. Kelly Oubre is another scoring option for the Hornets, at 14 points-per game.

Miami Heat Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-1
• ATS: 3-1
• O/U: 1-3

The biggest change in the Heat from last season is how consistent they look on defense. The addition of Tucker instantly transferred over, as Miami is only giving up 95 total points per- game.

They have taken away everything on the perimeter, only vulnerable up front. Even that isn’t easy. Miami is only getting their offense from three people, Butler, Herro, and Adebayo. Bam is at 19.3 PPG, with Butler leading the team at 23.3, and Herro in the middle.

Robinson and Lowry have yet to provide any real offensive spark. The good news is that when you don’t get scored on, it’s easier to go without scoring in bunches.

The Charlotte Hornets have covered the spread in three of their last four games when facing the Heat. (AP)

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Head-to-Head

This is the first matchup between the two teams this year. The Hornets took two of three last year, including winning in Miami. It’s a divisional game, so don’t expect much of a home-court advantage.

Key Players to Watch

• CHA: LaMelo Ball - PG (19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6 apg)
• CHA: Miles Bridges - SF (26.2 ppg, 8 rpg)
• MIA: Jimmy Butler - SF (23.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.3 apg)
• MIA: Bam Adebayo - C (19.3 ppg, 12.8 rpg)

Injuries

• CHA: Terry Rozier - SG (Out)
• CHA: P.J. Washington - PF (DTD)
• MIA: Kyle Lowry - PG (DTD)
• MIA: Bam Adebayo - C (DTD)

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Betting Conclusion

This is gearing up to be a fantastic matchup of offensive firepower vs. defensive prowess. The biggest key is the Hornets are without two starters, which hasn’t caught up to them until now.

The Heat will win the game, but even playing to their low-scoring tempo, Charlotte has scorers who can do enough to cover that larger spread. It’s as expected, Miami is 2-0 ATS at home, and the Hornets are 3-0 ATS on the road.

Miami might be prime for a little letdown as they come off a huge win against the Nets. If Charlotte gets Rozier for just his second game, jump on the Hornets and take the points!

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat Betting Trends

• Charlotte has covered the spread in three of its last four games when facing Miami.
• Charlotte has won three of its last four games when facing Miami.
• The point total has gone OVER in five straight meetings.
• Charlotte has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
• Charlotte has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games/

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