Sign In $
NBA

Heat at Clippers Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting Odds Breakdown

Los Angeles opened as a 6.5-point home favorite with a total of 223.

Eye Test

The Heat (34-15) are one of two teams that owns a lead of 10 games or more over second place in their division in the NBA (Bucks the other). Miami is the only team with a winning record in the Southeast division and need to have a meltdown of epic proportions in order not to capture the division crown. The Heat finished January without winning more than three straight games, but also suffered only one skid of two games.

The Clippers (35-15) remain in second place of the Pacific division behind the Lakers, but Doc Rivers' squad has won 12 of their last 16 games, including eight of the past 10 at Staples Center. Following a surprising 21-point home defeat to the Kings, the Clippers knocked off the Timberwolves and Spurs to start February at 2-0.

Current Form

Miami embarks on a six-game road trip with five of those contests coming against Western Conference foes. The Heat opened up a close game at halftime in Monday's 137-106 rout of Philadelphia to improve to 22-3 at home. Since getting shocked by the Knicks on January 12, the Heat have won seven of their last 10 games, although only two victories came against teams with winning records (Philadelphia and Oklahoma City).

Amazingly, the Clippers have lost consecutive games only once this season, coming back in mid-November. Los Angeles is not in that situation on Wednesday coming off Monday's three-point victory over San Antonio, but the Clippers are one four teams that has won at least 70% of their games this season. The Clippers have faced seven straight opponents at home that own losing records, with the only defeat coming to Sacramento on January 30.

Head-to-Head

The Clippers handed the Heat only their second home loss of the season on January 24 in a 122-117 triumph as two-point favorites. Los Angeles trailed by two points at halftime, but outscored Miami in the third quarter, 38-20 to pull away. Paul George sat out due to a hamstring injury, but Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 33 points and 10 assists, while Landry Shamet drilled six three-pointers to contribute 22 points. The Heat have won in their last two road matchups with the Clippers, including a 121-98 blowout in December 2018.

Inside the Stats (Home/Away)

Points Per Game:
Miami 112.3 (107.8)
L.A. Clippers 115.3 (116.8)

Points Allowed:
Miami 107.9 (109.8)
L.A. Clippers 111.4 (108.0)

Home-Away Records

-- Miami 12-12 SU, 11-12-1 ATS
-- L.A. Clippers 21-5 SU, 15-11 ATS

Situational (Vs. Non-Conference)

The Heat have struggled on the road against the Western Conference by posting a 3-6 mark this season. Since December 18, Miami has played only two road games against the West as it won at San Antonio and lost at Oklahoma City. Among the six away losses to the West, they include defeats to the Rockets, Lakers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies.

The Clippers have posted a solid 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS mark against teams from the East at Staples Center this season. The only defeat came to the Bucks as a 6.5-point underdog on November 6 without Leonard and George in the lineup. However, the last five home wins against the Eastern Conference came against the likes of the Wizards, Magic, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Pistons, all teams owning losing records.

Score Projection

TBA

The VegasInsider.com Score Projections are produced daily for all NBA matchups. More...

Betcha Didn’t Know

The Clippers and Heat drilled the 'under' in nine consecutive meetings from January 2015 through January 2019, but the most recent matchup in Miami saw an easy 'over' on the total of 219.5. Wednesday's total of 223 is the highest total in the last 10 affairs between these squads.

VI Prediction Tool

The VegasInsider.com Prediction resource gives an edge to either team in eight specific categories listed above and there are instances where both clubs receive a positive edge (). Depending on how you weigh the below factors could provide more reason to fade or follow those teams in your wagers.

VI Edge Predictions
Categories Miami Heat Los Angeles Clippers
Eye Test
Current Form
Head-to-Head -
Inside the Stats -
Home-Away -
Situational
Score Projection -
Betcha Didn't Know - -
Expert Picks - -

Total Talk (Over-Under)

Miami: 29-19-1 (Away, 13-10-1 Over)
L.A. Clippers: 23-26-1 (Home, 12-13-1 Under)

The Heat are 3-0 to the 'over' this season after scoring 130 or more points in their previous game, but have hit the 'under' in their last two road contests.

The Clippers are riding a 5-2 'under' run the last seven games, while cashing the 'under' in the two wins this month against the Wolves and Spurs.

Nba News

VegasInsider Staff

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff
•