Heat vs. Nets Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for January 8 (Elite Defenses Meet in Eastern Conference Showdown)

Heat vs. Nets Game Info

• Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023
• Time: 6:00 PM ET
• Venue: FTX Arena -- Miami, Florida
• Coverage: BSSUN and YES

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Sunday with nine more games, including a battle between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. The Nets rank second in the Eastern Conference with a 26-13 record, while the Heat check in eight with an 21-19 record. Fans are in for a treat with this intense matchup.

Brooklyn enters as a victor in 13 of its last 14 games following a 108-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Meanwhile, Miami has now won five of its last seven games after taking down the Phoenix Suns by a score of 104-96 on Friday. Which Eastern Conference contender will win tonight?

Heat vs. Nets Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Nets vs Heat Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Nets	-3.5	-	-	221.5	-110	-110	-158	134

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: MIA: (+138) | BKN: (-164)
• Spread: MIA: +3.5 (-110) | BKN: -3.5 (-110)
• Total: 222 -- Over: (-112) | Under: (-108)

The Nets enter this contest as small road favorites on moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 6 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 222 points, which is below average compared to Sunday's projected totals.

Heat vs. Nets Betting Trends

• The Nets have covered the spread 21 times in 38 games with a set spread.
• So far this season, the Heat have been installed as underdogs by a 3.5-point margin or more nine times and are 5-4 ATS in those games.
• Games involving the Nets have hit the over 16 times out of 40 chances this season.
• The Heat have gone over the point total 45% of the time this season (18 of 40 games with a set point total).
• Brooklyn has covered the spread in a lower percentage of its home games than away games. It has covered nine times in 18 games when playing at home, and it has covered 12 times in 20 games when playing on the road.
• Miami has been better against the spread on the road (11-10-0) than at home (5-13-1) this season.

Heat vs. Nets Prediction & Pick

The Nets are rolling right now and seeing contributions across the roster. Kevin Durant tallied 33 points on Friday night, while Kyrie Irving notched 7 points in the final minute to help seal the victory. Ben Simmons racked up 10 assists and TJ Warren chipped in with 15 points off the bench as well.

The kind of depth is scary and Miami is going to have its hands full on defense tonight. Brooklyn ranks first in the NBA when it comes to shooting percentage (51.2%) and fifth when it comes to offensive efficiency. The Nets are also averaging only 14.3 turnovers per away game this year (No. 11 in NBA).

Brooklyn has won eight of its last nine road games, so I feel confident backing the Nets on Sunday.

Final Score Prediction: Heat: 107 | Nets: 111

Heat vs. Nets Best Bet

This total is lower than most totals on Sunday's NBA slate for a reason. Both Brooklyn and Miami rank among the top 10 teams in defensive efficiency as well as the bottom of of the league in pace. That means opposing possessions are being drawn out and resulting in no points more often than not.

The total has hit the under in four of the Nets' last five games and also in seven of the Heat's last 10 games. The under has cashed in five of the last six matchups between these two foes, too. This game may be full of stars, but it will be the defenses that steal the show. Back the under and root for stops.

Bet: Under 222 Points (-108)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.