The Miami Heat (34-30) can snap a six-game road losing streak when they go head-to-head with the Washington Wizards (36-28) at Capital One Arena. Washington opened as a 5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 203.5 points. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
Miami Heat at Washington Wizards Free Preview
The last time the Heat played, they easily got past the Phoenix Suns, 125-103. Hassan Whiteside was Miami’s high scorer with 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting. Miami dominated every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.207 (above their season average of 0.175) and a turnover percentage of 8.9 (better than their season average of 13.1). Phoenix was 0.103 and 15.2, respectively, for those same stats.
The Wizards are hoping for a better outcome after their 98-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers in their last matchup. Bradley Beal was Washington’s high scorer with 22 points on 8-for-27 shooting. Indiana did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (22-24; 91.7 percent). Washington, meanwhile, forced the Pacers into a turnover percentage of 15.4 (above their season average of 12.1).
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Miami. Miami ranks 21st in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.3 percent), while the disruptive defense of Washington forces the eighth-most turnovers in the NBA (14.6 percent).
Of Miami’s 63 games with betting action, 34 have finished under the O/U total, while 35 of Washington’s 64 games have finished under the O/U total. Both teams have decent straight up (SU) records (34-30 for Miami; 36-28 for Washington), but the Heat hold a slight advantage against the spread (ATS). Miami is 32-29-2 ATS, while the Wizards are 30-33-1.
Otto Porter Jr. has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Washington, averaging 21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
These two teams have met twice already this season, each winning once. Whiteside recorded 22 points and 16 rebounds in the most recent contest, in which the Heat, who were 4.5-point underdogs, defeated the Wizards 91-88. The two teams combined to put up 179 points, which was 26.5 points below the projected point total of 205.5 points. The Heat’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Wizards. Miami had a rate of 20.4, while Washington posted a mark of 14.3.
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards Free Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Heat, ATS Winner – Heat, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Wizards rank 14th in fast break points per game (11.5) while the Heat rank 27th (8.0).
- Miami averages 5.3 blocks per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Washington ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
- Washington is 11-20-1 ATS at home, while Miami is 22-11 ATS on the road.
- The Heat have 18 unders, 14 overs and 1 push in 33 road games.
- In 32 home games, the Wizards have 15 overs, 15 unders and 2 pushes.
- Miami is 20-6 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Washington is 17-3.
- The Heat are 24-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Wizards are 33-15.
- The Wizards rank 10th in points off turnovers per game (17.2) while the Heat rank 12th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.0).
- Miami ranks 10th in second chance points allowed per game (11.8) while Washington ranks 27th (13.5).
- The Wizards rank fifth in assists per game (24.6) while the Heat rank 22nd (22.1).
- Miami ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (25.8) while Washington ranks 17th (29.5).
Betting Trends:
- Washington is 2-2-1 ATS with 5 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Miami is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Wizards have scored an equal number of points as their opponents. On the season, Washington has defeated opponents by an average of 1.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (10.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.0 points per game (2.0 above their season average).
