Heat vs Nets Game 4 Pick

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets

Game 4

Monday 8:00 EST

May 12, 2014

Line: Miami -2.5 (Subject to change. Check up-to-date odds at Bovada)

From perfect, to now what Paul Pierce deems “not unbeatable,” the Miami Heat are suddenly faced with their first test of the postseason.

After the Brooklyn Nets’ 104-90 victory over Miami, the Heat have still yet to win a game in Brooklyn this season (0-4). Now, leading this best-of-7 Eastern Conference playoff series 2-1, the Heat must try again for their first win at the Barclays Center, Monday night in Game 4.

While LeBron James led the Heat with 28 points, the Nets balanced scoring effort was too much for the two-time defending NBA champions. Making the most of their deep and experienced roster for the first time in the series, six players scored in double figures for the Nets, with Joe Johnson scoring a team-high 19 points.

The hot shooting of Mirza Teletovic continued. After setting a franchise record for three-pointers made in Game 3, not only was Teletovic 4-of-7 from downtown, but the Nets were also 15 of 25 from three-point range. If the Nets continue to be effective from long range, the Heat are going to be in store for another long night on Atlantic Avenue. And perhaps most importantly, the Nets finally crashed the boards in Game 4, out-rebounding the Heat for the first time this series (43-27).

After cruising through the first six games of the postseason, Miami was finally dealt its first postseason blow. James’ performance didn’t help. Only attempting one shot in the second quarter, Miami can’t survive if James is ineffective. In Miami’s first two victories this series he scored 22 points. But in Game 3, James was passive at times, trying to be a playmaker instead of making plays that the best player in the world should’ve been making. Game 3 displayed the weaknesses of Miami and the strength of Brooklyn.

So instead of blaming James for the Heat loss, start praising the Nets for their victory. Their perfect game plan and execution slowed down the beasts of the East. The Nets knew in the regular season that they were capable of beating the Heat. Now they know they’re capable of beating them in the playoffs and that’s a scary thought for the Heat entering Game 4.

When both teams head back to South Beach for Game 5, a series in which the Heat seemed to be in total control will now all of a sudden be tied at two games a piece.

My Pick: Nets +2.5