The Miami Heat return home to take on the Los Angeles Clippers, the first game of a four-game homestand, on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.
The Heat have won two straight for the first time since Jan. 15, coming off an eight-point win over the Washington Wizards, who have the second-worst record in the NBA. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 24 points and nine rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor; Bam Adebayo finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting.
The Clippers have also won two in a row, most recently earning a 136-125 victory over the Detroit Pistons Friday. They have won seven of their last eight games and 10 of their last 12. Los Angeles is currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference at 32-15, one game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are both 34-15. The Heat remain tied with the Orlando Magic for the No. 7 seed at 26-23, 0.5 game back of the Indiana Pacers for the sixth-and-final non-play-in spot in the East.
Jimmy Butler has looked more like himself or the last four games, scoring 24 or more in each game after having just scored 24-plus four times since the start of December (15 games). Bam Adebayo, who was recently named to his third All-Star team, has undergone a shooting funk despite his 20-point outing Friday, where he was converting more around the rim against Daniel Gafford and Washington’s frontcourt.
On the other side, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are the straws that stir the drink. But the Clippers have gotten valiant efforts from James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Normal Powell, who had 22 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range against Miami in their first meeting of the season on New Year’s Day.
The Clippers downed the Heat 121-104 in their first meeting. Will the Clippers sweep the season series? Or can Miami earn the split? Stay tuned to find out!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jamal Cain (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- R.J. Hampton (G-League) — OUT
- Duncan Robinson (concussion) — OUT
- Dru Smith (knee) — OUT
Los Angeles Clippers:
- Moussa Diabate (hand) — OUT
- Ivica Zubac (calf) — QUESTIONABLE
Projected Starting 5:
Miami Heat:
- Terry Rozier, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Los Angeles Clippers:
- James Harden, G
- Terance Mann, G
- Paul George, F
- Kawhi Leonard, F
- Mason Plumlee, C
Betting Lines (at the time of this publishing):
- Spread: Clippers -4
- O/U: 225.5
- Moneyline: Heat +150, Clippers -178
Check out those lines and more at Fanduel Sportsbook!
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 6:00 p.m. EST
- TV: ESPNV
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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A lot of these older players think they can come play out the string with the Heat. I say a hard pass on PJ. As Bob Dylan’s son, Jakob said, “ there’s gotta be something better than this.”
Get another W and keep rolling. Go Heat!
I’m of the opinion that we have a better chance than last time.
herro on kawhi we got this