The Washington Wizards and Miami Heat meet for the second time in three days. These teams played last Wednesday and the scrappier Wizards outlasted the Heat 103-100 in Miami.
The Wizards have won two out of their last three while the Heat have dropped seven of eight. These teams are at the bottom of the Southeast Conference and are looking to climb the ladder. Washington has the second-worst record in the East while the Heat are outside the playoff picture at 13th. Miami won their first meeting of the season 128-124 so the winner here will take the season series.
The Washington Wizards are 5-13 on the season. They are last in the Southeast division and have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. After watching six games postponed due to COVID-19, Washington lost four straight games. However, they have won two out of their last three games played including last Wednesday’s victory over Miami.
Bradley Beal is the NBA’s leading scorer at 34.8 points per game. He is also averaging 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. Russell Westbrook is putting up a near triple-double with 20.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game. Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans are the only other players scoring in double-digits.
Washington is the 4th highest-scoring team in the league at 116.3 points per game scored. They are 24th in rebounding at 43.5 boards grabbed per contest and are 11th in passing at 25.6 assists per game. The Wizards have the worst scoring defense in the NBA at 121.1 points per game allowed.
The Miami Heat are off to a disappointing 7-14 start after reaching the NBA Finals last season. The Heat are 4th in the Southeast Division team standings and are currently out of playoff position at no. 13 in the East. The Heat have dropped seven out of their last eight games and are coming off a Wednesday defeat against Washington.
Bam Adebayo is having a good start at 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Jimmy Butler is putting up 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Tyler Herro is contributing 17.2 points and 6.1 rebounds while veteran Goran Dragic is leading the team in passing at 5.1 assists per game while also scoring 14.7 points per game.
Miami ranks 26th in the NBA in scoring at 106.5 points per game this season. The Heat are 10th in passing at 25.7 assists per game but are dead-last in rebounding at 41.6 boards grabbed per outing. They also have the league’s 17th ranked scoring defense at 111.9 points per game allowed.
Washington is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games played. The Wizards are 1-5 SU in their last six games played on the road. Miami is 1-7 SU in their last eight games played. The Heat are 2-4 SU in their last six games played at home. Head to head, the Heat are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played against the Wizards.
The Wizard should like their chances here. They beat the Heat 103-100 the last time out even with Russell Westbrook sitting out the second of a back-to-back set. With Westbrook back, the Wizard should have more firepower. Washington has the third-worst record in the league but they’re starting to play better with two wins in their last three games.
Miami has dropped seven of their last eight games and this isn’t the kind of start they had in mind after making it to the NBA Finals last season.
The Heat have dealt with COVID-19 issues but with Butler now back, they should find their true form sooner or later. They hope that this is where it starts.
The Heat are off to a disappointing start but it’s still early and they can still turn things around. Miami was up 13 in the previous game but went cold in the second half. I like to see the Heat play more consistent basketball here. They have more firepower than Washington but they need to make their shots and limit turnovers. If they do both, they should bounce back and avenge Wednesday’s loss.
Prediction: Miami Heat
The Wizards are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played. Washington is 1-4 ATS in their last five games played on the road, 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Eastern Conference. The Heat are 0-6 ATS in their last six games played. Miami is 0-5 ATS in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Wizards are 5-1 ATS in their last six games played against the Heat. Washington is also 5-0 ATS when playing in Miami.
The previous two meetings between these teams have been settled by three and four points. Miami has outscored Washington by 1.7 points per game in their last 10 head to head meetings. The Heat have struggled against the spread this season and although Jimmy Butler is back, they are just 1-2 since his return. Washington may have the league’s third-worst record. But they have Beal and Westbrook who will keep them in the game. Miami should win this game but I think it will be another close game.
Prediction: Wizards +6.5
The over is 11-7 in Washington’s 18 games played this season. The total has gone under in four out of the last five road games played by the Wizards. The total has gone under in six out of the last nine games played by the Heat. Miami has seen the total go under in seven out of their last 12 games played at home. The over is 4-1 in Miami’s last five games played against the Southeast Division. The over is 8-1 in their last nine games played in February. Head to head, the total has gone over in seven out of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.
Washington hed Miami to 100 points in Wednesday’s meeting. However, the Wizards have the worst scoring defense in the league this season at 121.1 points per game allowed. The Heat have their offensive issues but I don’t think that the Washington defense can hold them down in a second straight game. Add the fact that the Wizards are 4th in the league in scoring. Russell Westbrook did not play the previous game. He will be active for this one. I like these teams to hit the over.
Prediction: Over 228.5
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