The Washington Wizards will get their season started on their home court when they go head-to-head against the Miami Heat (0-1) at Capital One Arena. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 18, 2018, and can be seen on Fox Sports – Seattle.
Miami Heat at Washington Wizards Betting Odds
The last time the Heat played, they lost a close one to the Orlando Magic, 104-101. Miami’s Hassan Whiteside finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds in the game. Orlando had a better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 13.0). Miami, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.5 vs. 26.9).
After a 43-39 regular season campaign, Washington made the playoffs as the eight seed in the Eastern Conference last season. They were defeated in the First Round by the Toronto Raptors in six games.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Miami. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, Miami ranks 18th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.0 percent), while the disruptive defense of Washington forced the sixth-most turnovers in the NBA (14.5 percent).
The Heat have had records of 44-39 straight up (SU) and 49-33 against the spread (ATS) since last season. A little over half of Miami games have finished under the projected point total since last season.
The Wizards, meanwhile, were 43-39 SU and 47-47-1 ATS last season. Of the Wizards’ 95 games last year, 57 finished over the projected point total.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their four games last season. The Heat won the most recent matchup 129-102. Miami had a better turnover percentage (9.3 vs. 14.0). Washington, meanwhile, did a terrific job of making free throws (27-34; 79.4 percent).
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Heat average 30.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Wizards rank 13th in three pointers allowed per game (29.0).
- Washington ranks 13th in fast break points per game (12.0) while Miami ranks 26th (9.6).
- The Heat average 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Wizards rank 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- Washington ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (17.1) while Miami ranks 15th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.0).
- Washington ranks 10th in steals per game (7.9) while Miami ranks 14th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
- The Wizards rank 14th in second chance points per game (12.5) while the Heat rank 26th (11.0).
- The Heat rank 14th in points in the paint per game (44.6) while the Wizards rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.7).
- Washington ranks fourth in assists per game (25.1) while Miami ranks 16th (22.7).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Miami is 27-6 and Washington is 20-4.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Wizards are 42-22 and the Heat are 33-22.
