Indiana at Miami

Miami is rested, at home and LeBron James just won the MVP, so the house will be rocking for the home team in this Game 1. James will hoist the MVP trophy to a sold-out arena before the game. Why is that extra rest so important? The Heat is 5-0 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days of rest. So Indiana walks into a hornet's nest and this is a team with very little playoffs experience, off the franchise's first series victory in seven years. The Pacers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as a road underdog of +5.0 to +10.5 and 2-5 ATS in their last seven playoffs games as an underdog of +5.0 to +10.5. Miami began the season with an attacking, up-tempo offense - part of an organizational philosophy to take advantage of all their offensive options. They finished No. 7 in the NBA in points scored. But it's the defense that really shined since the All-Star break, getting back to being a dominant force that got them to the Finals last season. Miami finished No. 4 in points allowed and No. 5 in field goal shooting defense. That combination will run the Pacers ragged in Game 1 with the spotlight shining, a team Miami beat 3-of-4 times this season (two blowouts). The Heat is 13-5 ATS in their last 18 home games against a team with a winning road record. Lay the points and play the Miami Heat in Game 1.