NBA Betting: Wade and Heat make waves at the top

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 03 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Dwyane Wade has put a tough year behind him and is now leading the charge as Miami Heat's spirited play-off campaign gathers momentum. Nick Shiambouros explains why he believes that Wade and the gifted youngsters around him are about to establish themselves in the upper echelons of the NBA.

The Miami Heat have slowly but surely crept in to the play-off picture over the last few weeks led by superstar Dwyane Wade. The Heat have taken full advantage of struggling teams like the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks, the Heat are now in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Miami Heat won the NBA title in 2006 beating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in a great series. At the time, I really felt that Dwyane Wade deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. However, after taking on a slew of endorsements and attracting a lot of media attention, his game suffered. He appeared to lose focus and had a very poor season the following year. Thankfully he has put that tough season behind him and is now the team leader in Miami.

Wade is surrounded by young talent with players like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers contributing just over 13 points per game. Wade himself is averaging an outstanding 29 points which goes a long way to justifying his $14m per year salary. This is a very young Miami team which has the potential to win an NBA title in the not to distant future.

I do not think the Heat have enough seasoned players to win the championship this year but they will make the play-offs at the very least. At home this team has a record of 20-11 and although they lost a close game against Cleveland 107-100 on Monday night they are tough to beat at the American Airlines Arena.

I like the chances of this Miami team at home over the next four games in their quest to make the play-offs. They will face Phoenix, Chicago, Boston and Utah in the space of 10 days starting Wednesday night.

The Phoenix Suns chances of making the play-offs are hanging by a thread after a very disappointing first half of the year. It will be very tough for them to come in to Miami and win especially without injured point guard Steve Nash. In addition, I am yet to be convinced by the new look offense they are experimenting with.

The Chicago Bulls are also a very young team but they are currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Chicago has a poor road record of 10-22 and they tend to drop their heads when behind on the road.

The Boston Celtics will not have things there own way when they come to South Florida and I think the Heat can give them plenty to think about. Kevin Garnett is still injured and the Celtics are struggling without him. At this moment I think Boston are vulnerable and the Heat can make them pay.

The Utah Jazz fly in to Miami on the 14th towards the end of a grueling road trip. The Jazz are a very tough team at home but have a record of 11-17 on the road. Miami match up very well with this team and should be able to take care of them especially as the Jazz could be a little fatigued.

Recommendations:

Back the Miami Heat over the next four home games with the handicap.