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Heat try to create 3-0 series cushion at Bobcats Saturday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 4/26/2014  at  2:59:00 AM
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MIAMI HEAT (56-28)

at CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (43-41)

NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round
Game 3 - Miami leads series 2-0
Tip-off: Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -5.5, Total: 188

The Bobcats look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit on Saturday when they host the Heat in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Miami had a double-digit lead going into the second half of Game 2, but Charlotte battled its way back before eventually losing 101-97 to suffer an 18th straight defeat in this series. But now the series shifts to Time Warner Cable Arena, where the Bobcats are 25-16 SU (24-15-2 ATS) this season, while the Heat are only 22-19 SU (19-20-2 ATS) on the road this season. And despite Miami's SU series dominance, which includes a 9-3 ATS mark in the past dozen meetings overall, the teams are an even 9-9-1 ATS in 19 all-time games in Charlotte, with the past five meetings all finishing Over the total. Both teams have positive betting trends here, as in the past two seasons, the Heat are 32-18 ATS (64%) after failing to cover in three of their previous four games. They are also facing an opponent that is 13-25 ATS (34%) after playing two consecutive road games over the past two seasons. However, the Bobcats are 9-1 ATS in home games when playing six or less games in 14 days this season, and are also 33-22 ATS (60%) as an underdog this season. Although Charlotte PF Josh McRoberts avoided a suspension for an elbow to the throat of LeBron James, teammate C Al Jefferson will continue to play at less than 100 percent due to plantar fasciitis in his foot. Miami has no significant injuries

SF LeBron James (29.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.0 SPG in series) has had his fingerprints all over this series so far. Whenever Miami needs him to make a play, James is finding a teammate or attacking the rim. The Bobcats do not have an answer for the forward, and his 32 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in Game 2 is just a sign of what’s to come in the next few games. PF Chris Bosh (16.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 SPG in series) finally had a big game for Miami on Wednesday with 20 points (8-of-11 FG, 4-of-5 threes), five rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes. The Heat will need Bosh to knock down his jumpers throughout the rest of the playoffs, as he is their only big man capable of putting up points. SG Dwyane Wade (19.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG in series) didn’t need to do much for the Heat to win Game 2, finishing with just 15 points (4-of-10 FG), six rebounds, four turnovers and a poor rating of minus-9 in 35 minutes of play. PG Mario Chalmers (9.0 PPG, 2.5 APG in series) played excellent defense on Kemba Walker in Game 2, and also knocked down his shots when he needed to. He finished the game with 11 points (3-of-7 FG, 2-of-4 threes), three assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes and gave a big boost for the team on both ends of the floor. The Miami bench also played well on Wednesday, as the five reserves combined for 21 points (8-of-18 FG), 13 rebounds and a stellar +51 rating.

Charlotte played an excellent second half in Game 2, but is now in a must-win situation for Game 3. C Al Jefferson (18.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG in series) has been dealing with a lingering foot injury but still logged 40 minutes on Wednesday and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds (5 offensive). He is the best post player in this series, and a guy that the Bobcats can dump the ball into and rely on for offense whenever they need it. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (13.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG in series) had one of his best games as a pro in Game 2 with 22 points (9-of-13 FG), 10 rebounds and a +11 rating in 34 minutes. The Bobcats rely on Kidd-Gilchrist for his defense, but he was able to find holes attacking the Miami big men, and if this continues, Charlotte has a real chance of getting back into this series. While Kidd-Gilchrist made 69% of his shots in Game 2, the rest of his team shot only 37% from the floor. But for the Bobcats to win, PG Kemba Walker (18.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG in series) must break out of his shooting slump. Walker has not been the same since returning from a groin injury, making just 18-of-58 FG (31%) in four games. But he has kept the defense honest this series by knocking down 7-of-15 threes, and his decision making in Game 2 (8 assists, 2 turnovers) was much better than what he did in the series opener (6 assists, 6 turnovers). SG Gerald Henderson (10.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG in series) has also been off the mark at 40% FG and 0-for-6 threes in the postseason. During the regular season, he averaged 14.0 PPG on 43% FG and 35% threes.


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