Los Angeles Clippers at Miami Heat Pick – Odds and Against the Spread Predictions

The Los Angeles Clippers (25-22) will lock horns with the Miami Heat (22-23) at the American Airlines Arena for a Western vs. Eastern conference clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM and expected to be televised on FSN. This series has been one of “streaks” as the Heat presently own a three-game winning streak against the Lob City. Previous to this, the Clips had won four in a row against the Heat. Most recently, the two teams met in the City of Angels in December where the Heat pulled an impressive 121-108 upset of Los Angeles as a 9.5-point underdog.

Los Angeles Heat at Miami Heat Overview

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers come into this contest off their sixth loss in their past seven games. Over this span, the Clippers produced an equally ugly 1-6 ATS record. Most recently, Los Angeles was defeated last night in Dallas when they were beaten by a score of 106-98 failing to cover as a 2.5-point underdog. Los Angeles’ one win over this span was an impressive one when they shocked the San Antonio Spurs on their own floor by a score of 103-95 when they closed as a 9.5-point underdog.

Miami Heat

Overall, the Heat also come into this contest in recently poor form. The Heat have won just one game in their last four matches. The Heat are back at home after finishing a four-game road trip that concluded on Monday with a 107-99 loss in Boston. Though the Heat came up with a loss, they achieved their second straight cover as they closed an 8.5-point underdog in Beantown.

Reasons To Avoid Los Angeles

Rest will be a factor here for the Clippers as they played just last night in Texas and now have to travel 1,313 miles to play this game. When you couple this with their overall poor form the Clips could come in flat. It doesn’t help that their energy will be taxed against a Miami team that plays a robust physical game. The Heat rank fifth in scoring defense (105.8 points per game), second in opponent field goal shooting (44%) and they are seventh in offensive rebounding (46.7 boards per contest) all of which could hamper Los Angeles’ offensive exploits.

Reasons To Back Miami

In addition to areas of concern highlighted for Lob City, the Heat will also be able to take advantage of the Clippers’ 24th-ranked scoring defense that gives up 114 points per game. When you compare the efficiencies by defense alone, the Heat are nearly granted an eight-point advantage out of the gate. Combining this with being the fresher of the two teams and home court, Miami could actually win this game by double-digit margins potentially.