Clippers vs Heat NBA Lines
The Miami Heat will look to push their winning streak to a modest three games. The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to bounce back after their three game losing streak was snapped in Orlando Wednesday night. [ad-4468020]
Los Angeles Clippers (3-2) @ Miami Heat (3-2)
When: Thursday, November 7th, 2013, 7:00 PM ET
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: Miami Heat -5
O/U: 211.5
Odds From
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Los Angeles Clippers
After losing opening night to the Los Angeles Lakers, the high flying Los Angeles Clippers rattled off three wins in a row.
On Wednesday, November 6th, the Clippers played outside of the state of California for the first time this season and that may have played a part to why the Clippers lost to the Orlando Magic. The Clippers looked sluggish, sloppy and struggled throughout the game.
They missed a lot of easy dunks and lay ups throughout the game, but big picture, I believe the Magic are a pretty good team. And more specifically a very good defensive team.
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The Clippers who came in averaging 119 points and hitting a little over 50% of their field goals – leading the NBA in both categories – got shut down by the Orlando Magic.
They scored 90 points and only hit 37% of their shots, the third straight Orlando opponent to hit less than 40% of their field goals.
For future reference, I would keep in mind the Orlando Magic. They maybe a team that has value and might fly under the radar for now.
Back to the Clippers, they’ve shown a fantastic offense, again, they are the best in the league, but defensively they have to improve if they want to take that next step. They can’t rely on their offense to score 120 points.
There will be nights that they play a great defensive (such as the Orlando Magic) and there will be nights where they just can’t buy a basket (again, see the Magic game).
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That’s where the defense comes into play. If their defense is tough and stingy, that will keep them in close games and enable them to win games they otherwise wouldn’t. As of now, the Clippers defense is not there yet.
Miami Heat
After starting the year 1-2, the Miami Heat have bounced back with two wins over the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. The Heat haven’t exactly lit the court on fire, but they’ve been pretty consistent and when they have stepped on the gas they’ve looked, well, like the defending champs.
The Heat have averaged 104.8 points per game (8th) , hit 44% of their 3 point shots (3rd), and have hit over 50% of their field goals which is third best in the league.
In a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Dwayne Wade didn’t play because of a knee injury and the Heat didn’t have Chris Bosh in their win over the Raptors because of the birth of his daughter. Against the Clippers they should have all their big pieces on the floor.
On the home court this year, the Heat have won both of their games and have won them both by double digits.
Danny’s FREE NBA pick:
Overall, I like the Miami Heat to win and I like the Miami Heat to cover. The Heat, when focused, are the best team in the league.
And in a game like this – a game on national television (TNT) against a very good team in the Western Conference – I believe the Heat will come out focused and ready to go.
The Clippers will put on a good show as well and give a better performance than what they showed against the Magic, but their defense is bad. They just aren’t there yet defensively to compete with the absolute best teams – like the Miami Heat.
Pick: Miami Heat -5
Prediction: Miami Heat 111 – Los Angeles Clippers 103
