AAA's NON-CONF. TOTAL BEATDOWN (EPIC NBA RUN CONT!)
(NBA) Miami vs. Portland,
Total: 197.00 | -109.00 Under
Result: Loss
This is an 8* TOTAL BEATDOWN on the OVER between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trailblazers.

For a number of different reasons, I expect this total to eclipse the posted number as the game comes down the stretch. Miami will have its hands full today in trying to slow down the Blazers who have won 15 of their last 17 in Portland. The Heat though come in determined, they've had three days off to prepare for this contest and have recently welcomed back starting center Chris Andersen and Danny Granger. Miami also comes in with plenty of momentum after Sunday's 88-84 win over Brooklyn, a team which had won six of its previous seven; note that Chris Bosh would go 10 of 16 for 26 points to help the Heat snap a four-game slide in that one. And remember, the last time that Miami played in Portland, LeBron James was sidelined with inury and Bosh would take over, capping a 37-point effort with a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left that gave the Heat a 108-107 victory late last season: "This road trip will be a good time for us to get away, get away from Miami, be around each other and just continue to fight everything and to do it together," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra assessed last night. "... When you face tough times, adversity and frustration, some disappointment during the season, the only way out of it is together." But as mentioned off the top, beating the Blazers at home is obviously easier said than done, one other player to keep your eyes on today is the home side's Damian Lillard who had 39 points in his team's 98-94 win over the Lakers. There's no question that this game will have a very competitive atmosphere. Note that Miami has seen the total go OVER the number in three of four this year after allowing 85 points or less, while Portland has seen it sail above the posted number in 20 of its last 32 when playing w/ two days of rest. After taking all of the above situational, motivational and strong trend based factors into consideration, it's my opinion that the OVER is indeed the sharp move in this one.

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