As one of the teams most ravaged by COVID-19 protocols, you can’t blame the Heat for being thankful that they’ll get to face a Clippers team dealing with its own big absences.
The Heat and Clippers tangle Thursday night in Miami, and both teams will be missing players – though while L.A. is guaranteed to be without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Heat might see some of their key pieces return to action.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Heat are four-point favourites against a Clippers team that will feature a starkly different starting lineup than they one they had been using for the majority of the season. The Clippers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games and 4-1 ATS in their previous five meetings with Miami, but this isn’t the same team that contributed to those trends. And Miami has fared well against the Pacific Division, having covered four of the past five games in that situation.
The total for this game is on the low side by today’s NBA standards at 215.5, and we have plenty of trends pointing bettors to the Under. The Clippers have gone below the number in 10 of their last 15 games as an underdog, and have converted the Under in three of their past four overall. Miami has four Unders in its last five games, and is 8-3 to the Under in its past 11 home games – the same O/U record these teams share in their previous 11 head-to-head tilts.
Los Angeles Clippers
No Kawhi. No PG. No Patrick Beverley, with the veteran point guard nursing a knee injury. What does that mean for the Clippers’ starting five? Expect to see plenty of Reggie Jackson, who played 39 minutes in Tuesday’s 108-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Clippers will also lean more heavily on Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard, who also saw 30+ minutes in defeat. Leonard and George average a combined 49.8 points and 11.1 assists on the season.
Miami Heat
Miami fans and bettors likely won’t be getting their hopes up, but things could be improving for the Heat from a personnel perspective. There’s an outside chance superstar forward Jimmy Butler might return Thursday night; he has been sidelined since Jan. 9 due to COVID-19 protocols. And sharp-shooting guard Tyler Herro might also return to action after missing Miami’s previous two games.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Clippers vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 28 Jan 2:17pm | LAC | -4 -110 | O +215.5 -110 |
| Closing 28 Jan 11:53pm | LAC | -3 -113 | O +212 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Clippers Team Leaders
| Points |
24.85 |
| Assists |
5.78 |
| Rebounds |
7.21 |
| FG% |
65.2 |
| Steals |
1.56 |
| Blocks |
1.15 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.36 |
| Assists |
5.37 |
| Rebounds |
9.63 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
2.09 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
24.85 |
| Assists |
5.78 |
| Rebounds |
7.21 |
| FG% |
65.2 |
| Steals |
1.56 |
| Blocks |
1.15 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.36 |
| Assists |
5.37 |
| Rebounds |
9.63 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
2.09 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
Injuries
Ivica Zubac (C)
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Terance Mann (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivica Zubac (C) | Out Wed | Knee - 28 / 06 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Zubac is dealing with a right knee MCL sprain, and he will not be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Suns. |
|||||
| Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) | Ques Sat | Knee - 25 / 06 / 21 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Morris Sr. is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference final. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Ques Thurs | Head - 23 / 06 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Beverley is bothered by a head injury, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference versus the Suns up in the air. |
|||||
| Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) | Ques Tues | Knee - 21 / 06 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Morris Sr. is managing a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | out for season | Back - 27 / 05 / 21 | 11-6 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Ibaka will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season after undergoing back surgery. |
|||||
| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Prob Sat | Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21 | 11-8 | 10-9 | + - |
|
Jackson is expected to face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round despite left Achilles soreness. |
|||||
| DeMarcus Cousins (C) | Ques Fri | Foot - 15 / 05 / 21 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Cousins is dealing with left foot soreness, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Beverley will be handed a day of rest and will not be available against the Rockets on Friday. |
|||||
| Reggie Jackson (PG) | Ques Sun | Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Jackson sat out the last game due to an Achilles injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Thunder on Sunday. |
|||||
| Terance Mann (SG) | Ques Sun | Personal - 14 / 05 / 21 | 12-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Mann was held out of the previous game due to a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will face the Thunder on Sunday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Ques Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 15 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Kendrick Nunn (PG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Thurs | Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Tues | Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 02 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets. |
|||||
| Nemanja Bjelica (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 28 Jan 2:17pm LAC -4 -110 O +215.5 -110 Closing 28 Jan 11:53pm LAC -3 -113 O +212 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Clippers Team Leaders
Points 24.85
Assists 5.78
Rebounds 7.21
FG% 65.2
Steals 1.56
Blocks 1.15
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.36
Assists 5.37
Rebounds 9.63
FG% 75
Steals 2.09
Blocks 1.5
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 24.85
Assists 5.78
Rebounds 7.21
FG% 65.2
Steals 1.56
Blocks 1.15
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.36
Assists 5.37
Rebounds 9.63
FG% 75
Steals 2.09
Blocks 1.5
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
Injuries
Ivica Zubac (C)
Out Wed Knee - 28 / 06 / 21Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Ques Sat Knee - 25 / 06 / 21Patrick Beverley (PG)
Ques Thurs Head - 23 / 06 / 21Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Ques Tues Knee - 21 / 06 / 21Serge Ibaka (PF)
out for season Back - 27 / 05 / 21Reggie Jackson (PG)
Prob Sat Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Ques Fri Foot - 15 / 05 / 21Patrick Beverley (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Reggie Jackson (PG)
Ques Sun Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21Terance Mann (SG)
Ques Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ivica Zubac (C) Out Wed Knee - 28 / 06 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Zubac is dealing with a right knee MCL sprain, and he will not be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Suns.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) Ques Sat Knee - 25 / 06 / 21 3-1 1-3 + - Morris Sr. is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference final.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Ques Thurs Head - 23 / 06 / 21 3-2 2-3 + - Beverley is bothered by a head injury, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference versus the Suns up in the air.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) Ques Tues Knee - 21 / 06 / 21 3-2 2-3 + - Morris Sr. is managing a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Serge Ibaka (PF) out for season Back - 27 / 05 / 21 11-6 9-8 + - Ibaka will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season after undergoing back surgery.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Prob Sat Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21 11-8 10-9 + - Jackson is expected to face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round despite left Achilles soreness.
DeMarcus Cousins (C) Ques Fri Foot - 15 / 05 / 21 12-9 11-10 + - Cousins is dealing with left foot soreness, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 12-9 11-10 + - Beverley will be handed a day of rest and will not be available against the Rockets on Friday.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Ques Sun Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21 12-9 11-10 + - Jackson sat out the last game due to an Achilles injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Thunder on Sunday.
Terance Mann (SG) Ques Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21 12-9 11-10 + - Mann was held out of the previous game due to a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will face the Thunder on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goran Dragic (PG) Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Kendrick Nunn (PG) Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21 8-4 8-4 + - Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.