Los Angeles Clippers at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Clippers head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this game has Miami as 6.5 point favorites.

The Clippers head into this matchup with a mark of 11-15. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.7 as they are averaging 105.0 points per contest while giving up 106.7 per game. The Heat have an overall record of 13-14. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 100.3 points per game and surrendering 102.7, good for a point differential of -2.4.

Valuable Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 12-14-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 12-13-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 10-15-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 9-16-2 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/12/17 F Danilo Gallinari Gluteus is out indefinitely
11/28/17 F Blake Griffin MCL is out indefinitely
11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/14/17 F Justise Winslow Knee is downgraded to OUT Friday vs Charlotte
12/14/17 G Tyler Johnson Migraine is upgraded to probable Friday vs Charlotte
11/30/17 C Hassan Whiteside Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

DeAndre Jordan comes into this game averaging 10.9 points per contest while playing 32.7 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 14.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 67% while his free throw percentage is 59%. Lou Williams averages 20 points per contest in 30.6 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.8 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per contest for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Dion Waiters has scored 14.7 points per contest while playing 30.9 minutes per game this season for the Heat. He hauls in 2.4 rebounds per contest and has 3.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 71%. Goran Dragic averages 17.1 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 105 points per contest this year, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.77 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.4 boards per contest and 20.5 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 14.8 per game. The Clippers allow 106.7 points per contest which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 25th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 24.2 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 26th in the NBA with 100.3 points per contest this season. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -2.44. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 10th in the league. They are 25th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.1 boards per contest and 24th in assists per game with 20.9. The Heat are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.8. The Heat give up 102.7 points per game, which ranks them 8th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 12th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 19.9 dimes allowed per game and 16th with 43 boards surrendered per contest. The Heat are 6th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Clippers are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 110, and their offensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 8th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 17th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 11th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 2nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Heat are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 107, and their offensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 19th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 8th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Clippers/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles +6.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald