LA Clippers vs. Miami Heat Prediction ATS

Los Angeles Clippers (14-12 SU, 11-14-1 ATS) vs. Miami Heat (11-14 SU, 8-16-1 ATS)

When: Thursday, December 8th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: FTX Arena, FL, Miami

TV: NBA

Point Spread: LAC +4.5/ MIA -4.5 (Deposit $200 and get $100 FREE at Bovada Sportsbook!)

Total: 215.5

Money Line: Los Angeles Clippers +157/ -195

Notable Injuries

Clippers

• John Wall (Probable) Injury Management
• Marcus Morris Sr. (Probable) Illness
• Norman Powell (Out) Groin
• Luke Kennard (Probable) Injury Management

Heat

• Jimmy Butler (Questionable) Knee
• Dewayne Dedmon (Questionable) Foot
• Victor Oladipo (Probable) Knee
• Duncan Robinson (Probable) Ankle
• Haywood Highsmith (Probable) Ankle
• Gabe Vincent (Out) Knee
• Tyler Herro (Probable) Ankle
• Max Strus (Probable) Shoulder
• Ömer Yurtseven (Out) Ankle
• Nikola Jovic (Probable) Undisclosed

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Los Angeles is 14-12 overall. When taking to the road, Los Angeles has a mark of 7-6 and a win percentage of 54.0%. Currently, the team is 9th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 11-14-1 vs. the spread. When looking at how the team has performed of late straight and vs. the spread, they are 2-3 in their past five games and 1-4 ATS. Over their past ten games, they are 5-5 SU and 4-6 ATS.

Los Angeles most recently lost to the Magic by a score of 116-111. The team high 19 points from Terance Mann were not enough to come away with the win. The Clippers were 6-point favorites going into the game.

Heading into the game, Miami is 11-14 overall. When playing at home, Miami has a mark of 8-5 and a win percentage of 62%. Currently, the team is 10th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 8-16-1 vs. the spread. The Heat need a win in today’s matchup vs. Los Angeles to avoid their 3rd straight loss.

The Historicals

Last season, the teams were evenly matched, each winning one of their two games against each other on their home courts. Just like they did overall, the Clippers put up an average of 113 points per game against the Heat, while the Heat maintained their usual scoring output of 115 points per game against the Clippers. Over the last five games, the Clippers have been the better bet against the spread, with a 4-1 record. They’ve won these games by an average of 5 points per game. As for the over-under, the teams have combined for 229 points per game in their last five matchups, and the over has hit every time.

Analysis

This season, Los Angeles is averaging just 107.3 points per game, which places them 30th in the league. A major reason for these low numbers is the fact that they play at one of the slower paces in the NBA, at just 98.0 possessions per game. When looking at the team’s 3-point shooting numbers, they profile as an average team in both percentage and attempts. For the season, the Clippers’ offense is ranked 20th in 3-point attempts per game while connecting at a rate of 35.8%. Defensively, the Clippers have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 108.39 points per game. So far, they have done an excellent job defending the 3-point arc, allowing teams to hit just 34.31%.

Heading into today’s game, Los Angeles will be needing a strong offensive effort from Paul George, and the team’s supporting cast as Norman Powell won’t be available vs. Miami. So far, Powell is averaging 14.8 points per game. George leads the Clippers at 22.7 points per contest.

This season, Miami is averaging just 108.3 points per game, which places them 28th in the league. A major reason for these low numbers is the fact that they play at one of the slower paces in the NBA, at just 98.0 possessions per game. The Heat have been able to put together a strong offensive attack despite sitting just 22nd in 3-point shooting percentage. Overall, they are among the league leaders in attempts at 35.4 attempts per game. Defensively, the Heat have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 105.57 points per game. So far, they have done an excellent job defending the 3-point arc, allowing the team’s to hit just 34.0%.

Coming into today’s game, Bam Adebayo is the leading scorer for Miami at 20.7 points per game. This season, Adebayo has a field goal percentage of 52.7%. The team’s second-leading scorer is Kyle Lowry, at 14.4 points per contest.

Betting Trends

• The Heat are 8-17-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
• The Heat are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record.
• The Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.
• The Clippers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The home team has won four of the last of five in this season and with the reasonable -4.5 line, I look for the Heat to put ann end to their two-game losing streak with a win and cover tonight. Bet your NBA predictions for FREE this week by scoring a 100% bonus (or more!) at one of our top tier online sportsbooks by using one of our sportsbook promo codes!