Miami Heat (17-16) vs. Golden State Warriors (18-17)
January 7, 2025 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Golden State Warriors -8.5; Over/Under: 218
(Get latest betting odds)
The Miami Heat invade the Chase Center to do battle with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Here’s a Warriors vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Warriors vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost seven of their last 11 games overall. The Heat will be hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat after falling just short to the Kings in a 123-118 double overtime loss last night. Tyler Herro led the team with 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 11 of 25 shooting, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier scored 18 points apiece while Jaime Jacquez Jr racked up a triple-double of 16 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
As a team, the Heat shot just 42 percent from the field and 11 of 42 from the 3-point line as they squandered a 17-point lead in regulation. The Heat came up short in the second overtime period where they scored just six points to allow the Kings off the hook in the end. The Heat will take on the Jazz after this game.
Golden State Warriors
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have been in decent shape recently as they’ve won three of their past five games. The Warriors will be looking for a better effort in this one after getting embarrassed by the Kings in a 129-99 home defeat on Sunday. Stephen Curry led the team with 26 points on eight of 12 shooting, Andrew Wiggins added 18 points while Moses Moody chipped in with 13 points off the bench.
As a team, the Warriors shot 45 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and were never in the contest after getting dominated by 75-51 in the first half. Defense was the biggest issue for the Warriors in this game, but they could’ve also done with more production from Dennis Schroder who shot just one of seven for his three points. The Warriors will play the Pistons, Pacers, Raptors, and Wolves next.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won each of their last seven games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost each of their last seven road games against Warriors teams that held a winning record.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Warriors have lost five of their last seven games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Heat teams that held a winning record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last five road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Warriors’ last six games as home favorites following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Nine of the Heat’s last 11 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (71.1%).
- The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throws made per game this season (14.6).
- The Heat rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Heat rank 30th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.1%).
Warriors vs Heat Prediction
The Heat are still playing without the suspended Jimmy Butler, while the Warriors are still missing Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga who are both out. The Heat have really been struggling since the start of all this Jimmy Butler drama. The Heat are coming into this one fresh off a double-overtime loss to the Kings last night. It’s going to be tough to get back up and take on the Warriors, who were also beaten by the Kings in their last game. You really couldn’t trust either team with too much confidence, but the Warriors have been the better team lately, and I think they can take advantage of this weary Heat squad at home.
