Looking to bounce back from a tough loss on Monday to the Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat continue their six-game road trip in Hollywood later tonight. Awaiting the Heat there are the streaking Los Angeles Clippers, who’ve won their last nine games.
[sc:NBA250 ]Read on for more about this Wednesday matchup. You can also check out our preview of Mavs vs. Thunder.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles
When: Wednesday, January 13, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Miami Heat (25-13)
The Heat tried, but like so many other teams, failed to defeat Golden State on Monday, 111-103, to suffer their second loss in a row and third in four games. Miami looks to rekindle its spark later tonight in STAPLES Center, where it’s beaten the Clippers in its last two games there.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Despite the loss, the Heat must have been happy to see Dwyane Wade put up vintage Dwyane Wade numbers, as the 12-year veteran stuffed the stat sheet in the Warriors game with 20 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Wade didn’t shoot the ball well though, going 6-for-20 from the field.
With Hassan Whiteside’s status for tonight’s game uncertain, Wade and Chris Bosh will have to shoulder added weight on offense to cover for Whiteside’s season average of 12.1 points per game. Wade is second on the team with 18.5 PPG, while Bosh is tops with 19.1 PPG.
Aside from scoring, Bosh needs to work double time inside should Whiteside collect another DNP (Did Not Play). Bosh, who had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks against Golden State, would play a key role in unclogging the paint on offense thanks to his ability to drain threes, and should force DeAndre Jordan out of his defensive comfort zone. Bosh is making 1.7 triples per game this season.
Miami, which is averaging 97.1 PPG, is 3-1 ATS in its last four games away from South Beach.
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Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers (16-8)
It seems strange that the Clippers are playing their best basketball of the season minus Blake Griffin, who’s still nursing a quadriceps injury. But with or without Griffin, Miami presents a tough challenge for the Clippers, as the Heat are the first .500 team LA will face since the start of its current nine-game win streak.
The Clippers have been having success sans Griffin largely because of the inspired play of Chris Paul and the ample support from some of their peripheral players.
Paul has been averaging 19.9 points in the Clips’ past nine games, while dishing out 10.9 assists. Jamal Crawford, meanwhile, is having quite a start to 2016, as he’s putting up 15.8 points in four games this year. Paul and Crawford scored 25 and 21 points in LA’s 114-111 win over New Orleans on Sunday.
DeAndre Jordan, on the other hand, is expected to capitalize on the potential absence of Miami big man Hassan Whiteside. Jordan, who mostly takes his shots from point-blank range, is averaging 11.6 points and 13.4 rebounds on the season.
The Clippers are also making 8.7 threes per game this season, and they’re going to need those outside shots to fall, too, tonight in order to further loosen Miami’s interior defense that’s allowing just 40.7 points per game.
The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami wins, 101-98.
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