Big Game Report #65

By Chase Bailkin

Miami Heat

(22-22)

VS

Portland Trail Blazers

(25-18)

5th East

6th West

Fanduel Odds

The Blazers are surprisingly underdogs in this one. They are a better team, and while they have lost 2 in a row, Miami has lost 4 in a row. Portland’s losses also come against Dallas and Brooklyn, two formidable opponents. Both teams are gritty and have the ability and talent to beat any team on any given night, but the Blazers have played well all season while Miami has been up and down. I think the Blazers bench is much better than the Heat’s, and even though they lost in their recent game against Brooklyn, they shot the ball lights out, the Nets just shot better. I don’t think the Heat have the capability to keep up with the Blazers. I think the Heat defense will slow down the Blazers offense, but that ultimately they have so many weapons that it won’t matter and the Blazers will prevail. Take the Trail Blazers +3, Jimmy Butler over 21.5 points, and CJ McCollum under 20.5 points.