NBA Handicapping – Miami Heat vs LA Clippers
Both the Clippers and the Heat will be coming off Tuesday night games with Los Angeles getting the benefit of returning home for this matchup on Wednesday at the Staples Center.
Date/Time: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast: FSN Prime Ticket
Spread: Heat -4
Over/Under: 203
Miami have picked up right where they left off after making an appearance in last year’s NBA Finals, storming into first place in the Southeast on five straight wins to start the season.
Then after hitting a roadblock in Atlanta, they reeled off three more wins heading into Tuesday’s match up with the Golden State Warriors, and are boasting the best record (8-1) in the NBA.
They are also leading the league in scoring (108.3), field-goal shooting (50.2 percent) and assists per game (24.6).
Miami has outscored opponents by 11.77 points a game, bettered by only Philadelphia their last time out, and are led by none other than Lebron James, who has scored at least 30 points in six straight road games and is leading the league in scoring with 30.1 points per game on 60.1 percent shooting.
However, Miami has shown some weakness defensively, but still ranks fourth in opponent field-goal shooting (41.7 percent) and seventh in rebound differential (plus-2.22).[soliloquy id=”82219″]
That’s not good news for a Clippers team that are currently riding a three-game winning streak, but have to play the Heat just one day after what is going to be a tough matchup with Portland on Tuesday.
Most recently LA got the best of Milwaukee on Saturday when Blake Griffin totaled 22 points and 14 rebounds, as the Clippers held off the Bucks, 92-86, at Staples Center.
The Clippers have taken advantage of their relatively light early schedule by jumping out to a 4-2 record, which is the best in the Pacific Division, but no team in the league has played fewer road games to start the season than the Clippers.
So, Tuesday’s road test and Wednesday’s meeting with Miami could tell the tale.
Free Pick: Miami — Miami is averaging 49.8 points in the paint this season, compared with 34 points by opponents. And the Heat are about to get better as center Eddy Curry and swingman Mike Miller practiced Monday for the first time this season and may be able to play in Wednesday’s contest. The Clips are averaging just 40 PPG inside and will find it difficult to match that number, much less better against the Heat.
