Five times the Heat have been underdogs this season. Each time they have covered, winning four of those games straight-up.

Both Miami and Indiana are in a losing rut. So this should be an intense matchup. 

The Pacers are the definition of mediocre. They are 9-15 on the season with one-third of those games being decided by 3 or fewer points. 

The Heat have struggled minus Jimmy Butler and center Bam Adebayo, their two best players. Adebayo is out long-term because of a thumb injury that requires surgery. Butler has a good chance of playing after missing the last two games due to a bruised tailbone. Veteran Dewayne Dedmon is an underrated fill-in for Adebayo. 

The Pacers aren't without injuries. They just lost backup point guard T.J. McConnell, who is averaging 8.4 points and 4.8 assists, to a wrist injury. Keep in mind, the Pacers haven't had injured T.J. Warren and Justin Holiday. 

Miami gets the coaching checkmark, too, with Erik Spoelsttra.