Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 24, 2016

Golden State survived a major scare on Monday when it eked past a battling Atlanta side, 102-92, in a grueling showdown at Philips Arena. The Warriors squandered a 23-point second half advantage but managed to hold on right in the end to nab their second consecutive road win.

The defending champions will look to stretch that unbeaten run even further when they take on the Miami Heat in a mouth-watering clash at American Airlines Arena tonight. Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this East vs. West matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Oklahoma City vs. Dallas and Washington vs. Chicago.

Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat Preview

Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami

When: Wednesday, February 24, 7:30 PM ET

Line: Golden State Warriors (-8.5) at Miami Heat (+8.5); total: 215.0 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: CSNB/SUN

Betting on the Golden State Warriors (50-5)

Golden State extended its winning streak to two games with a 102-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. It was a gritty performance by the Warriors who preserved their 3.5 game lead atop the Western Conference standings. At 50-5, the Warriors now own the best 55-game start in NBA history.

Starring for the Warriors in this critical road win was Stephen Curry. The reigning MVP scored 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting from the field. Curry has been magnificent for the Warriors this campaign, averaging 29.8 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game this season. Also contributing greatly in this victory was Klay Thompson. He scored 27 points and grabbed three steals against the Hawks.

The league leaders will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Miami Heat later tonight. For the Warriors to accomplish that feat, they will need to continue to push the pace against the Heat and excel on the fast break. The Warriors lead the league in fast break offense, averaging 20.7 points per game this season. The defending champions will have their work cut out for them, however, against a Miami defense that’s conceding just 9.9 fast break points per contest this campaign, the fewest in the NBA.

The Warriors are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games against the Heat.

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Betting on the Miami Heat (32-24)

The Miami Heat extended their winning streak to three games with a thrilling 101-93 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Six players scored in double-figures for the Heat who battled back from an early 14-point deficit. It was an incredible victory for the Heat who have now won nine of their last 12 games.

Key to Miami’s resurgence has been its incredible defense. The Heat have held their last three opponents to just 99.3 points per contest. That rock-solid defense was in full display Monday against the Pacers where they held Indiana to just 39.1 percent shooting from the field. Miami is second in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 96.5 points per game this season.

Things are bound to get tougher, though, for the Heat as standing in their way tonight are the red-hot Golden State Warriors. The defending champions have won 26 of their 31 road games this season. The Warriors, for that matter, are averaging a league-best 115 points per game this campaign. Steve Kerr’s men have been deadly from beyond the arc, shooting at a high 41.8 percent clip from the 3-point area.

For the Heat to record a major shock tonight, they will need to find a way to limit Golden State’s perimeter shooters. The Warriors are 29-0 this season when they shoot 40 percent or higher from downtown. That won’t faze the Heat, however, who are sixth-best in the NBA in three-point defense (33.7%) this campaign.

The Heat are 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Golden State wins but Miami (+8.5) covers.