The Miami Heat (31-13) welcome the Los Angeles Clippers (31-14) to AmericanAirlines Arena as they look to extend their nine-game home winning streak. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 24, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Miami Heat ATS Prediction
The Clippers are hoping for a better outcome after not being able to cover as 5-point favorites in their 102-95 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in their last contest. The game’s combined points (197) finished well under the O/U total of 229.5. Atlanta’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Hawks had more offensive rebounds (23 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (40 vs. 37) and total rebounds (63 vs. 45). Montrezl Harrell led Los Angeles in scoring with 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting.
The last time the Heat played, they defeated the Washington Wizards, 134-129, but failed to cover as 10-point favorites. The game’s combined points (263) were well over the O/U total of 229. Miami was effective at getting and making free throws. The Heat made 31 of their 36 free throws (86.1 percent), while the Wizards were 16-20 (80.0 percent). With 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, Miami’s Jimmy Butler had a solid performance.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a matchup of two heavyweights. The upper-echelon Miami offense ranks third in the league in that metric at 0.549, while the stingy Los Angeles defense is ranked fourth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.503). Moreover, the Clippers, who rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (24.8 percent), will face a tough test against the Heat, who rank third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.7 percent).
Los Angeles holds records of 31-14 straight up (SU) and 23-21-1 against the spread (ATS). Oddsmakers are known to place the total high when the Clippers are playing, as 55.6 percent of their games have gone under the total.
Meanwhile, Miami is 31-13 SU and 24-18-2 ATS. Unlike Los Angeles, Heat games have a tendency to go over the total (61.4 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Landry Shamet (11 points) has been great for the Clippers while Kendrick Nunn (24 points,3.4 assists,1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Heat.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, the Clippers won 111-99. The Clippers had a much better turnover percentage (6.9 vs. 13.1) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.571 vs. 0.518).
Clippers vs. Heat Odds Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Miami ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (12.0) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (14.5).
Los Angeles ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (49.6) while Miami ranks ninth in points allowed in the paint per game (46.1).
Miami is 14-6-1 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 10-12 ATS on the road.
Over its last five outings, Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Miami is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 6.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (3.0 above their season average).