[b]Nick Shiambouros looks for the best bets ahead of this weekend's NBA match-ups[/b]
The Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 104-100 in a thoroughly entertaining affair on Thursday night. The great LeBron James was on fire for Miami scoring a season high 51 points.
Miami were in control for most of the game and took a 90-67 lead with under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Magic staged a rally to make things interesting in the final minute but came up short after Ryan Anderson missed a long range shot in the final seconds.
This was the fourth win in a row for Miami and they are just 2.5 games behind Boston in the Eastern Conference.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 89-88 with a huge effort late on Thursday at the Staples Center.
The Spurs won...
The new look [b]Miami Heat[/b] have a record of 5-2 for the year. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh worked the free agency system this summer to potentially create a superpower and the trio have contracts that guarantee them a combined $327m over six years.
Miami had a [b]disastrous start[/b] to the season losing 88-80 to Boston in their very first game. The Celtics came out firing from the opening tip and were always in control. LeBron James received a hostile reception from the Boston faithful who applauded his every missed shot.
The Heat have generated a great deal of resentment from the other teams in the league. There is a real perception that Miami has attempted to "buy" the NBA championship by signing three of the best players in the world. [b]LeBron James[/b] has...