Sportsbooks of eight of their last 10, the Clippers seek their second win over Miami in two weeks when they host the Heat. Miami is on a surge of its own, winning seven of its last 10 to improve to a season-high 19 games over .500. LA beat the Heat 122-117 on January 24 in Miami.
- Date/Time: February 5, 10 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN, FOX Sports Sun, FOX Prime Ticket, Sportsnet
- Sportsbook Odds: Clippers -7 / O/U 223
- Heat vs Clippers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The opener represents the fewest points the Clippers have laid at home in more than six weeks and just the sixth time they’ve laid 7 or less at Staples Center this year. LA is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS as chalk of 7 or less at home this season. At the time of writing on Tuesday night, the Heat had already been bet down to +6.5.
Miami News & Notes
The Heat won’t be at full strength when they open a six-game road trip on Wednesday. Meyers Leonard sprained his ankle in Monday’s 137-106 whipping of Philadelphia and didn’t accompany his teammates on the plane to LA, meaning he’ll miss his first start of the season. Tyler Herro did make the trip, but his status for Wednesday is uncertain after he missed the second half Monday due to nagging soreness in his right foot.
Leonard’s injury, combined with the continued absence of Justise Winslow, leaves Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones Jr. as potential starters on Wednesday. Dion Waiters could also get the call for the Sportsbook tip if Herro isn’t able to suit up.
At least Miami comes into this trip with plenty of momentum. The Heat’s win over Philly was their seventh in their last 10 games and moved them a season-high 19 games above .500. Jimmy Butler is coming off a season high of his own, scoring 38 points on 14-of-20 shooting against his former team, while Goran Dragic (three 20-point outings in his last five games) and Bam Adebayo (18 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds against Philadelphia) should also come in with plenty of confidence.
Miami has gone OVER the total in 19 of its last 27 games, although the Heat have gone UNDER by a combined 28 points in their last two road outings.
Los Angeles News & Notes
After their previous three home wins came by double-digit margins, the Clippers had to sweat out their most recent one. LA overcame a 15-point first-half deficit Monday against San Antonio by dialing up the defense in the second half, holding the Spurs to 42 points in the final 24 minutes to earn a 108-105 victory.
Paul George, who had 19 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in the victory, didn’t seem too concerned with the close call. “We don’t care if it’s a blowout or a close one,” George told reporters. “We need to learn how to do both.”
George took an elbow to the nose Monday that forced him out of the game in the third quarter, but he returned shortly after and should be in the lineup Wednesday. Other than that, the Clippers are at full strength, a luxury they haven’t had most of the season. Until last weekend, LA had had a clean injury report just once all year, forcing coach Doc Rivers to start 13 different players.
Betting Pick: Heat +7
Miami is 9-4-1 ATS in its last 14 as an underdog of 7 or more points and should be motivated to avenge last month’s loss.
- The OVER is 19-8 in the Heat’s last 27 games.
- The Clippers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games after a SU victory.
- The UNDER is 9-1 in the Heat’s last 10 games against the Clippers.
