NBA Preview, Odds, And Prediction: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers will test their moral fiber when they visit the "home savages" Miami Heat in South Florida on Friday. The Heat, who are still the best team in the NBA when playing at home, will be putting their near-perfect 20-1 home record on the line as the Clippers aim to regain the second spot in the Western Conference from the Utah Jazz.

The Clips sans Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Patrick Beverly suffered a collapse against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, 102-95. Leonard is expected to be back in action Friday when they hit South Beach for the fourth stop of a six-game road trip. George and Beverly, meanwhile, are still listed as out.

Heat:

The Heat blew a 21-point advantage Wednesday before hanging tough to escape a gallant Washington Wizards stand in OT, 134-129. The team remains unscathed when playing beyond 48 minutes, 8-0, while keeping its grip at the second spot of the Eastern Conference with a 31-13 tally.

Rookie Tyler Herro earned the MVP of the game citation after the win against the Wizards. He finished with 25 points off the bench behind an early career-high seven treys which also set a franchise record for most three-pointers made by a first-year man.

Clippers:

Leonard is returning after spending his normal day-off on back-to-back scheduled games. The well-rested two-way gunner will look to restore order as the Clippers try to avoid back-to-back losses.

With George out, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams will be tasked to step up anew and connive with Leonard. Harrell scored a team-high 30 points off the bench against the Hawks while Williams poured in 18 points as a starter. Landry Shamet played for 36 minutes and contributed 13 points on 40 percent shooting.

Odds and Trends:

The odds will be updated soon.

The Heat are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 5-1-1 in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

The Clippers are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 games following a straight-up loss and 8-3 in their last 11 games following an ATS loss.

Under is 8-0 in Heat’s last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 8-1 in Clippers’ last 9 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Over is 6-1 in Heat’s last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 7-1-1 in Clippers’ last 9 games playing on 1-day rest.

Prediction:

Straight-up: Heat

ATS: Clippers

Total: Over