Saturday, April 8, 2017

Verizon Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat travel to Verizon Center to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday, April 8, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Washington as 5.5 point favorites.

The Heat come into this game with an overall record of 38-40. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.0 as they are averaging 102.9 points per game while giving up 101.9 per contest. The Wizards have an overall record of 48-31. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 109.4 points per game and surrendering 107.4, good for a point differential of 2.0.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 47-31-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 36-42-0 against the over/under

Important Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 40-38-1 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 49-29-1 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/27/16 F Josh McRoberts Foot out indefinitely
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season
04/05/17 F Luke Babbitt Hip "?" Friday vs Toronto
03/18/17 G Dion Waiters Ankle out indefinitely
01/04/17 F Justise Winslow Shoulder out for season

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

04/06/17 F Markieff Morris Ankle "?" Saturday vs Miami

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside comes into this contest averaging 16.7 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Heat. He pulls down 14.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 56% while his free throw percentage is currently at 63%. Goran Dragic averages 20.3 points per game in 33.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.9 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game for Miami. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Bradley Beal averages 23.1 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year for the Wizards. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. John Wall averages 23.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 10.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averages 102.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.96 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 43.6 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game which ranks them 16th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Heat allow 101.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 19.7 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington averages 109.4 points per game this year which ranks them 5th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.96 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 4th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 42.9 rebounds per game and 23.9 assists per contest which ranks them 24th and 8th respectively. In the turnover department the Wizards rank 12th with 14.1 per game. The Wizards allow 107.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 25th and 21st in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.1 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. The Wizards force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat have an offensive rating of 107.8 and a defensive rating of 106.8. In terms of pace they average 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 32% of their shots. Miami turns the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

Advanced Statistics

The Wizards rating on offense is 111.3 and they have a defensive rating of 109.3. They get 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 53%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Washington turns the ball over on 12.7 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Washington -5.5

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 Tony Sink