Miami at LA Clippers
Time: 10:30 PM ET, Feb 5, 2014
TV: ESPN
Spread: LAC -1
Total: 208
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Miami Heat are 34-13 and trail the Indiana Pacers by 3.5 games for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Heat have won its past two contests but will be underdogs on the road in Los Angeles tonight, as NBA oddsmakers favor the Clippers by 1-point in this contest.
The Clippers have been very tough at the Staples Center this year, boasting a 20-3 home record. The Clips have the league’s second-highest scoring offense, generating 106.1 points per game. Doc Rivers has made the defense much more respectable, and the Clips allow 100.4 points per game, which is actually good given the pace adjustment.
The Clippers may be able to exploit some of Miami’s biggest weaknesses. DeAndre Jordan outclasses all the Miami bigs and could have a field day creating second chance shots for the Clippers. Jordan averages 4.2 offensive rebounds per game and easily could get six in this contest. Blake Griffin could potentially get LeBron James in foul trouble, while Chris Bosh simply can’t cover him. So, there are a number of strategy problems for Erik Spoelstra in this contest.
The Heat may be making its last run together as currently constructed due to impending free agencies of the big three. LeBron James is averaging a healthy 26.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, though his PER is under 30 for the first time in several seasons.
Dwyane Wade has battled injury and still isn’t 100 percent. Both Wade and Bosh are going to have to be far more dominant for the Heat to repeat, given the strong play of the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
MIA Trends: OVER 4-0 in last 4 when opponent allows 100 or more in their previous game; OVER 4-0 in last 4 vs a team with winning percentage above .600; 0-4 ATS in last 4 Wednesday games.
LAC Trends: 0-4 ATS in last 4 Wednesday games; UNDER 4-0 in last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in previous game; OVER 5-0 in last 5 home games vs teams with road winning percentages over .600.
Head-to-head: Heat 0-5 ATS in last 5 meetings in LA; OVER 14-5 in last 19 meetings; OVER 5-2 in last 7 meetings in LA
