The Heat will be coming off arguably one of the ugliest-shooting games that ended in a 93-76 blowout. They shot 40.2 percent, while the Bucks were at the horrible 32.9 mark.
Still, a win is a win, and it ended Miami’s six-game losing streak. Also, Hassan Whiteside was a beast among men, powering for 12 points, 17 rebounds, and seven blocks. He should have a similar game against the Wizards’ thin front court.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff started a small-ball lineup that included natural guards Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, and Josh Richardson. The veteran coach may opt to do it again this Saturday, as it proved to be effective.
Dragic, who was a game-time decision, played 35 minutes and put 16 on the board, while Richardson, one of the peskiest defenders in the league, had 18 markers with four three pointers. As for Waiters, he had the green light all game long, attempting a team-leading 22 field goals; he made 10 and scored a team-high 23 points.
In battling the thin front court of the Wizards, expect the Heat to pound the ball inside to Whiteside. He should have another fantasy-friendly stat line.
Interesting trend: Miami has lost five straight road games that are played on a Saturday (0-5 ATS).
The Wizards just snapped a three-game skid and moved up to a 3-8 record after winning at home against the Knicks. With four of their next five games still held at DC, John Wall and company will have great chance to further improve their win-loss card.
Wall notched another double-double Thursday night (his fourth this season), recording 23 points and 11 assists, while only turning it over twice. Meanwhile, the returning Bradley Beal looked healthy enough, contributed 18 points and assisted five times. The team also enjoyed a surprising performance from forward Otto Porter Jr., who had a complete stat line – 21 points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and four threes on 57.1-percent shooting.
Led by the trio, Washington fired away with efficiency from deep, hitting 15 of 25 three-point attempts.
Those three guys are sure to challenge the guard and forward-heavy roster of the Heat, but it’s the men in the middle that will likely do the most work, with Hassan Whiteside coming to town. Marcin Gortat (11.6 ppg and 12.1 rpg) is the only life the Wiz have on the paint, as they are 27th and 29th in rebounds and blocks per game, respectively.
Washington is 6-3 SU and ATS in its last nine games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Wizards continue their rhythm and win, 105-95.
