Despite coming in as losers in four of their last five games, the Heat started their six-game road trip on a high note Wednesday night, as they beat the Nuggets 106-98. Hassan Whiteside, just like what he has done in the last year and a half, was a monster down low, registering 25 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.
It’s a nice morale-booster for the injury-plagued team, who will miss the services of Dion Waiters for at least a week (groin) after getting Goran Dragic back from his elbow injury. Waiters was recording 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in his last eight games.
Against the Jazz on a second night of a back-to-back, the seven-foot giant Whiteside will be in for a potentially epic clash with the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert. Both clog the paint well as shot-block artists and relentless rebounders (the two are combining for 26 RPG and five BPG).
The Heat and the Jazz have actually played each other in early November, with the latter coming out on top, 102-91. Whiteside and company got blasted by a balanced offense, as six Jazz scored in double figures.
The two clubs are interestingly similar stats-wise, with both placing inside the top five of points allowed (the Heat are fifth with 98.2 PPG), but only ranking in the mid and low 20s in scoring (the Heat are 28th with 96.1 PPG).
The Heat are 4-6 SU (5-5 ATS) in their last 10 games on the road.
The Jazz are quietly getting it done once again. They have won four in a row and are now sixth in the West with an 11-8 record. The team will be in a good position to extend their streak, as they are continuing a stretch of eight home games in nine outings.
In the most recent win, they ran past the Houston Rockets right from the tip, scoring a season-high 38 points in the first quarter, en route to a big 120-101 victory.
The past four games have been a breakout period for the offense, as they are averaging 108.7 PPG during the span. It somehow illustrated why the Jazz are 10th in offensive rating despite only ranking 24th in points. Their fourth-ranked defense (first in points allowed per game) was also there all throughout, with James Harden only shooting 8-for-23 and the Rockets collectively shooting 40.7 percent from the field.
With a win over this current version of the Heat already under their belt, the Jazz should feel good with their chances. Rudy Gobert’s battle with Hassan Whiteside in the paint could be the most intriguing, but we should also expect Gordon Hayward, George Hill and others to provide a ton of goods.
Hayward and Hill have come back from their injuries well (hand), with both netting over 20 PPG, but Rodney Hood is also someone to watch out for. The third-year guard is averaging 16.1 PPG and has at least one three in 17 of his 18 games this season.
The Jazz have won three straight games at home (3-0 ATS).
