The Los Angeles Clippers (14-12) take a trip to South Beach to visit the Miami Heat (11-14) Thursday. Tip-off from FTX Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). The Clippers had a tough OT loss Wednesday night to the Orlando Magic after being up 18 points during the game and losing 116-111 as 6.5-point favorites. When they got the lead the Clippers got careless and had 17 turnovers. In OT, they allowing rookie F Paolo Banchero to score 10 of his 23 points.
The Heat are on a 2-game losing streak after Tuesday’s 116-96 blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons as a 7.5-point favorite. Poor team shooting proved fatal for the Heat — 42% from the field and 31% on 3s. Coupled with an inability to stop the Pistons, which is rare for this top-5 defense, and you have a formula for failure. The Heat allowed the Pistons to shoot 49% from the floor and 46% on 3s.
- Moneyline (ML): Clippers +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Heat -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +5.5 (-105) | Heat -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Clippers at Heat key injuries
Clippers
- Not yet submitted
Heat
- G Jimmy Butler (knee) questionable
- F Dewayne Dedmond (foot) questionable
- G Tyler Herro (ankle) probable
- F Nikola Jovic (foot) probable
- G Victor Oladipo (knee) questionable
- G Duncan Robinson (probable) ankle
- G Max Strus (shoulder) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Clippers at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 101, Heat 99
Moneyline
LEAN CLIPPERS +190.
Neither of these teams is great, but the Heat are a worse team than the Clippers. With all of the uncertainty pertaining to injuries for both sides there is no very safe moneyline option, but if you like the moneyline then lean toward the underdog here. The Clippers and Heat have both underperformed but expect the Clippers to win this battle, especially if F Kawhi Leonard plays.
Against the spread
BET CLIPPERS +5.5 (-105).
No matter who wins this game this will be your best bet. These teams have 2 of the worst point differentials in the all of the NBA, with the Clippers at -1.7 and the Heat at -1.8. Both of these teams lose a good amount of games and when they do so it is often a close game. Neither team has shown the consistency ability to pull away when leading, but neither team will be blown out often either.
BET UNDER 213.5 (-110).
The Heat and the Clippers have 2 of the 3 worst offenses in the NBA in terms of points scored — the Clippers at a league worst 107.3 PPG and the Heat 28th at 108.3 PPG. Couple that with both teams having top-10 defenses and you have the perfect formula for a low-scoring game. Both teams are banged up and will be without key players. Feel safe betting the under here.