Heat Continue To Upset, Reward Bettors

There are two givens in the uncertain times we’re living in: more time indoors, and betting big bucks on the Miami Heat paying off in spades. The Heat have posted an impressive 10-2 record through their first 12 playoff games this year, sitting just two wins away from advancing to the NBA Finals.

Miami leads their Eastern Conference Finals series 2-1 over the Boston Celtics, and hasn’t had this type of playoff success since LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took their talents to South Beach.

The biggest reason for success is the Heat have been loyal to their principles and culture. Jimmy Butler brings defensive intensity and competitive drive. Miami moves the ball selflessly, with every player who has hit the court recording at least one assist in the series. Team-first basketball and efficiency at both ends of the floor are staples of the Heat’s success.

Despite the Game 3 loss, bettors have mostly been rewarded for putting their money on the Heat. Seven of their ten playoff wins have been by single-digit margins, but as we saw in Game 1, you can never really count them out of the game. A 14-point fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime (and win) has been the highlight of their resiliency.

The Heat are built with big shot-makers and big-shot (confidence) takers. That is why this team has been able to do so much for bettors and sportsbooks alike. Miami doesn’t know how to back down or ever give up.

Plenty Of Fans

Sportsbooks will be banking on the Heat coming away victorious. BetMGM is in line to profit more than a million dollars if this Miami team can win the title. Because so many have Boston and the Lakers coming away with the trophy, it could be a significant gain. They are still in control of their series with the Celtics.

If you’re not a fan of the Heat, betting on Miami was not the easiest thing to do in the regular season. When the stakes aren’t as high as in the playoffs, bench guys may play more, and the stars may need a rest day. When each game isn’t live or die, a missed assignment or bad shot doesn’t have the same impact.

This is the playoffs, and it’s a whole new ballgame.

If the goal is to make big bucks, betting on the Heat must be at the forefront of the betting list. If I were to place a bet on the ECF right now, series in progress, I would put all the chips on the Heat winning in six games. They took a tough Game 3 loss, but Boston showed the same flaw of blowing leads throughout the game. Miami cut the Celtics’ lead to five with less than a minute to go before four missed three-pointers sealed their fate.

Young Talent

The Heat had two All-Rookie Team performers this year; Kendrick Nunn made the All-Rookie First Team, while Tyler Herro made the Second Team squad. Nunn’s play has tailed off recently, but Herro has stepped into the spotlight and shined. His 22 points off the bench in Game 3 were more than the Celtics’ bench players combined. Herro also notched a double-double in Game 1 and was one rebound away from duplicating the feat in Game 2.

Herro has made big shots and smart plays in big moments, drawing superstar comparisons already. If Miami makes it to the Finals, consider betting before the series on Herro winning the Finals MVP. He has shown he can do it all. For a rookie to be capable (and trusted) of playing 30 minutes in the Conference Finals is no small order. Herro is a star in the making.

Miami will recover and turn up the temperature in Game 4, which tips off at 8:30 pm ET on Wednesday. Keep betting on the Heat!