A nine-game home winning streak hangs in the balance for the Los Angeles Clippers (16-8) when they meet the Miami Heat (10-14) at Staples Center. The game will air on Fox Sports – Seattle at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, 2018.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers ATS Odds
The Heat defeated the Phoenix Suns in their last matchup, 115-98, despite being 2.5-point underdogs. The Clippers, on the other hand, were beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies, 96-86, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. The Miami game finished 5 points over the projected point total of 208, while the Los Angeles game finished 27.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5.
Miami played a perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.3 (better than their season average of 13.0) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.6 (below their season average of 26.4). For those same stats, Phoenix put up marks of 18.9 and 10.5, respectively. Los Angeles, on the other hand, did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (28-35; 80.0 percent). Los Angeles received a boost from Boban Marjanovic, who contributed 19 points and eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo, meanwhile played well for Miami, putting up 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Heat dominated this series last year, securing victories in both contests. In the last contest, Miami won 90-85. Miami did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (16-21; 76.2 percent). Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 20.9). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Heat games have a tendency to finish over the O/U total (56.5 percent). Miami comes into the game with records of 10-14 straight up (SU) and 10-13 against the spread (ATS).
Much like Miami, games featuring the Clippers also tend to finish over the O/U total (62.5 percent). Moreover, Los Angeles owns records of 16-8 SU and 15-9 ATS.
Danilo Gallinari has really been playing well as of late for Los Angeles, averaging 21 points,6.6 rebounds,3.6 assists,1.2 steals over the last five games.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Los Angeles figures to have a noteworthy edge. The Clippers defense ranks first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.493), while the Miami offense is ranked 26th in effective field goal percentage (0.502).
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Clippers rank 23 in assists per game (22.333333333333332) while the Heat rank 25 (22.208333333333332).
- Miami averages 6.6 blocks per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 27th in blocks allowed per game (6.1).
- The Heat rank 10th in three pointers attempted per game (33.5) while the Clippers rank 26th (24.9).
- Miami ranks eighth in rebounds per game (47.3) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.4).
- Miami ranks 17 in steals per game (7.583333333333333) while Los Angeles ranks 27 (6.083333333333333).
- The Heat rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.0) while the Clippers rank 26th (51.3).
- The Clippers rank 16 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.041666666666668) while the Heat rank 28 (19.333333333333332).
- Miami ranks 23 in fast break points per game (11) while Los Angeles ranks 24 in fast break points allowed per game (15).
- Miami averages 15.0 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Los Angeles ranks 25th in second chance points allowed per game (14.8).
- Los Angeles is 3-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Miami is 4-1.
- The Heat are 9-10 when they reach 100 points, while the Clippers are 16-6.
- Miami is 5-4 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 8-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Clippers’ 10 home games, while 6 of the Heat’s 9 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Miami and Los Angeles are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Heat have 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games, while the Clippers have 3 overs and 2 unders
- During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (2.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (5.1 below their season average).
- The Clippers\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 4.2 for the season.
