David Banks
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Big time talent will take to the pro hardwood on Wednesday night when LeBron James and the Miami Heat invade Tinseltown to battle Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers; tip-off from the Staples Center is set to go live on ESPN at 10:30 ET.
Though Miami has been forced to deal with a multitude of injuries, the Heat enter their Tuesday night tussle at Golden State the lone team with just one loss to start the year. That came in a home game with Atlanta back on January 2nd, but was quickly avenged three nights later when Miami ousted the Hawks 116-109 in overtime. Unfortunately, that loss came with a price when Dwyane Wade aggravated a foot injury thats forced him to ride the pine throughout the Heats current three-game SU & ATS winning streak; Mario Chalmers has since stepped up in his absence, and both LBJ and Chris Bosh are also on personal tears. Miami has won all five of its road games against Dallas, Charlotte, Minnesota, Atlanta, and New Jersey by an average of 6.4 PPG and stands 3-2 versus the closing pointspread. Miami possess the top overall scoring attack in the league (#1 at 108.3 PPG), but its defense has left much to be desired.
While most teams have nine if not 10 games played under the belts, the Clippers are one of the few teams that have yet to feel the effects of a ridiculous schedule to start the season. Head Coach Vinny Del Negros outfit has only partook in six games heading into Tuesday nights trip to Portland, and all but two of those games had been played in the comfy confines of the Staples Center. Since dropping two of their first three games, the Clip-Joint has rattled off three straight wins as hosts (2-1 ATS) beating the likes of Portland, Houston, and Milwaukee. In all, CP3 and his mates check in 2-2 SU & ATS as a host on the year. LAs 99.7 PPG (#6) and 47.9 percent shooting percentage (#2) should have no problem picking apart a surprisingly suspect Miami defense thats allowed its opponents to score an average of 96.6 PPG (#24) on the year.
These teams split their two meetings a year ago with the home teams holding serve. The Clippers won the first meeting 111-105 as seven-point underdogs, but the Heat fired back with a 97-79 trouncing as 11.5-point chalk in the second go round. Miami has done exceptionally well against the Pacific Division going 36-14-2 ATS in the L/52 overall meetings, but has only covered two of its L/7 trips against the Clippers at Staples. LA has failed to cover each of its L/6 against the Eastern Conference, but has stepped up to the plate at home against +.500 opposition going 16-7 ATS the L/23 times. The home team has covered each of the L/7 in these teams recent series with the over going 9-2 in the L/11 overall clashes.
PICK: MIAMI/LA CLIPPERS OVER
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