Pacers vs. Heat Game 6 pick – Miami takes early money

By David Purdum and Micah Roberts, Sporting News	@TheLinemakers


The point spread on Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals has been growing. The Miami Heat opened as 6.5-point favorites over the Indiana Pacers for tonight’s game in Miami. But the number has been bet up to Miami -7.5 at some Las Vegas sports books and as high as -8 others. It’s the biggest spread in the last 11 meetings between the Pacers and Heat. The Game 5 line also saw some movement, with the Heat going from 2-point favorites to 1-point underdogs by tipoff. The Pacers covered in an exciting 93-90 win. Indiana managed to extend the series with a second-half comeback. All it took was extensive foul trouble for LeBron James and a heroic fourth-quarter outburst from Paul George. James picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter and was limited to career-playoff-low seven points in 24 minutes. George, on the other hand, erupted for 21 points in an epic fourth quarter. Indiana benefitted from the whistle, after George complained about the refs after Game 4. Miami attempted just eight free throws. The Pacers made 13 of 22 foul shots. Even with all that, the Pacers still needed a miss from Miami forward Chris Bosh on a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with seconds left to survive. Now, the series shifts back to Miami, where the Heat covered both Games 3 and 4 easily. The Pacers have lost nine of their last 10 trips to Miami, going 3-6 against the spread in that stretch. Indiana is 10-20 ATS in its last 30 road games. The Heat are 5-2 ATS at home during the playoffs. The Linemakers’ lean: This has been a bizarre series, which makes choosing Game 6 a tough one. We’ve seen the Pacers play extremely well in four of the five games, but they find themselves down 3-2, a huge indication that the Heat are simply the better team. Game 5 should have been a Pacers blowout, with James not being a factor for much of the game, but it was a struggle right down to the wire. The Pacers gave it all they had, played well, and still almost lost with the best player on the planet scoring a career playoff low. The Heat will give another good effort at home (they don’t want a Game 7 at Indy), but the Pacers aren’t going quietly. Look for the Pacers to give Miami all they can handle tonight, with the possibility of stealing the game and forcing a Game 7. Pacers +7.5 is the play. For our complete Game 6 betting preview, hit it right here.