Neither the Miami Heat nor the Los Angeles Clippers have been able to get things going on the NBA schedule as they’d prefer, but a Thursday night matchup in South Beach allows the chance for both squads to get on the right track.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The contest, which will be broadcast on NBA TV, will be played at FTX Arena. These teams will meet once more this regular season in Los Angeles on Jan. 2.
Let’s take a closer look, consider some NBA team stats and NBA odds, then make our Clippers vs Heat betting picks.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Matchup Info
- Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Venue: FTX Arena
- Location: Miami, Florida
- How to Watch: N/A
Miami Heat Performance Recap and Analysis
The Heat (11-14) has yet to be better than .500 to this point in the schedule. They sat at 7-7 after a victory over Phoenix on Nov. 14 but went on a four-game road slide after that.
Miami has lost three of its last four NBA matchups, but the win during that stretch gives them some hope in competing in the Eastern Conference.
They beat Boston — which sits atop the standings and has the best record in the league — 120-116 in overtime on Friday, that following a 13-point loss to the Celtics two days before.
Since that victory, though, they’ve fallen in NBA matchups away at Memphis and home against Detroit.
The Pistons came out on top in the two teams’ meeting, 116-96, on Tuesday.
Unusual Decisive Triumph
It was an unusual decisive triumph for a struggling group and also Detroit’s largest margin of victory this go-round.
Tyler Herro paced all scorers with a season high-tying 34 points, but the Heat was missing Jimmy Butler, Dewayne Dedmon, and Gabe Vincent. Herro’s 27.8 points per game against the Pistons is his most against any club.
Oladipo’s Performance Recap
Victor Oladipo made his regular-season debut, scoring nine points in 18 minutes.
Interestingly, he’s played in more postseason games with the team (15) than he has in the regular season (13), which is one of the more head-scratching NBA player stats.
Miami found itself looking up at the visitor for the final 18:49.
This is the third time in the last five campaigns that the Heat has gotten out of the gates with an 11-14 record.
Miami Heat stats will tell you the team has had some trouble on the offensive end, ranking 28th with 108.4 points per game.
Along with their 44.9% field goal percentage, their rebounding average grades out only one spot better.
Key Injuries
- Forwards Nikola Jovic
- Duncan Robinson
- Haywood Highsmith (ankle)
- Butler (conditioning purposes)
- Dedmon (knee)
Are all day-to-day on the injury report.
As are guards:
- Herro
- Oladipo (knee)
- Max Strus (shoulder)
Point guard Gabe Vincent (knee) and Omer Yurtseven (ankle) are ruled out for the tilt.
Betting Trends to Know
Miami is 8-16-1 against the spread this year. They’re 13-12 on the over/under, along with going 8-5 in front of a home crowd.
Los Angeles Clippers Performance Recap and Analysis
Los Angeles (14-12) has also lost three of its last four. On Wednesday, the Clippers bowed to Orlando, 116-111, in overtime. The Magic snapped a nine-game losing skid with the win, while bench player Terrance Mann led Los Angeles with 19 points.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard collaborated for 17 points in the first frame, and the Clippers made five three-pointers in the first seven minutes to hop out to a 23-6 lead.
Key Injuries
Guards John Wall and Luke Kennard are day-to-day. As is forward Marcus Morris, while Norman Powell (groin) is out.
Betting Trends to Know
The Clippers are 5-5 over their last ten outings.
Heat vs. Clippers Odds
Now to look at the lines for our Clippers vs Heat betting picks.
NBA odds have the host Heat listed at -108 to cover -6.5, while the LA Clippers odds are -112 on the spread.
On the money line, Miami is -240, while Los Angeles is a +198 underdog. The total is set at 213.5 points, with the over and under both down at -110.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Picks
- Los Angeles Clippers money line – The Clippers should be fired up after a loss to one of the league’s worst crews.
- Under – The Heat’s offense should bring the total down.
- Spread – We went with Los Angeles to win outright in our NBA picks, so take them on the spread, too.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers Score Prediction
After seeing our Clippers vs Heat betting picks, Los Angeles will beat Miami 110-103.
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