The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Miami Heat at the Intuit Dome on Monday night. Here’s a Clippers vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Clippers vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat have cooled off a bit lately as they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after last night’s 130-120 loss to the Lakers. Jaime Jacquez Jr led the team with a game-high 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists on 11 of 16 shooting, Pelle Larsson and Bam Adebayo scored 17 points each while Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds.
As a team, the Heat shot 51 percent from the field and nine of 33 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to cut an 18-point deficit to just four points. Only to go cold in the fourth quarter where they managed just 22 points to allow the Lakers off the hook. Davion Mitchell scored just eight points in 32 minutes as a starter while Andrew Wiggins finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been building nicely as they’ve won three of their past four games and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Pelicans in a thrilling 126-124 home win on Friday. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 34 points, five assists and six steals, James Harden added 24 points with 14 assists, Derrick Jones Jr added 16 points while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
As a team, the Clippers shot 51 percent from the field and 15 of 39 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble after squandering a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. Before they went on a pivotal 15-8 run to pull ahead for good.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last 12 games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Clippers.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Clippers have lost two of their last three games as favorites following a win.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games.
- The Heat have covered the spread in five of their last six road games following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Clippers’ last nine games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Heat’s last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Kawhi Leonard is the only player in the league to have recorded 6+ steals in a game this season.
- James Harden ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assists per game (9.2) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Davion Mitchell ranks 8th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.5) this season.
- Bam Adebayo is one of only nine qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (22.0) and rebounds (9.0) per game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (83.3%).
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for turnover percentage this season (15.8%).
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for H1 points per game this season (67.5).
- Nine different Heat players have scored 15+ points in a game this season – equal-most in the league.
Clippers vs Heat Prediction
The Heat are still shorthanded with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell both ruled out again, while the Clippers are missing Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller. The Heat have dropped their last two games, but their relentlessness was on display once again, as they didn’t give up despite falling behind by 18 points to the Lakers last night.
Still, the Heat have a tough road ahead as they now take on a Clippers on zero days’ rest. The Clippers understandably open as favorites at home, but I think the line is just high enough to take the Heat to keep this close.