The Miami Heat play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Kaseya Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Heat vs Clippers Prediction. This article will include a Heat vs Clippers Pick.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers were starting to build some momentum with three wins in a row, but they are now looking to bounce back after falling just short to the Pelicans in a 127-120 road defeat last night. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 29 points on 12 of 20 shooting, James Harden tallied 25 points with 17 assists while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. As a team, the Clippers shot 50 percent from the field and 14 of 42 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the urgency of the Pelicans from the start and quickly found themselves trailing by 21 points. The Clippers did rally to cut the deficit to just four points with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter, only to see the Pelicans pull away again.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat could really do with a win as they have now lost four of their last five games overall. They will be hoping to snap a four-game slide after getting beaten by the lowly Hornets in a 105-102 home defeat on Monday. Bam Adebayo led the team with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, Tyler Herro added 21 points on nine of 17 shooting while Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Heat shot 45 percent from the field and 10 of 31 from the 3-point line as they got off to a great start and looked to be in full control when they led by 17 points. However, they couldn’t hold off the Hornets and couldn’t regain the lead once the Hornets’ Miles Bridges drained back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter. The Heat will take on the Celtics after this game.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The home team has won each of the Clippers’ last seven games.
- The Clippers have lost seven of their last eight road games.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 11 road games.
- The home team has covered the spread in 13 of the Clippers’ last 14 games.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine road games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as road underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games against Clippers teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.8).
- The Heat rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (14.3).
- The Clippers rank 2nd in the league for Q2 opponent points per game this season (26.8).
- The Clippers rank 3rd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (10.0).
Heat vs Clippers Prediction
The Clippers are still missing some players with Ben Simmons and Norman Powell out again, while the Heat are keeping an eye on Alec Burks who is questionable for this one. The Clippers looked like they were turning the corner on their season with three straight wins before they got beaten by the slumping Pelicans last night. Meanwhile, the Heat have continued their poor form with a loss to the lowly Hornets as they continue to find consistent offense outside of Herro and Adebayo. The Heat have opened as slight favorites as they have an extra day’s rest and home-court advantage, but the Clippers are clearly the better team. I think they make up for last night’s mistakes with a much better effort on defense in this one. Give me the Clippers to pull off the minor upset in a low-scoring affair.