Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards: Miami is a tough team

In this contest, a surging Miami Heat outfit faces one of the best defensive teams in the league in the form of the Washington Wizards. Both teams have a winning record and have double wins than losses. What will the result be between the two elite squads? For quick notes, simply head over to “Expert Betting Tips”.

Their defense is their strength

The Wizards have held opponents to 100 or fewer points in the last six games, it also included a 97 points performance by the Hornets, who are the second-best team in the league in terms of points per game. Even though the Wizards lost the last game against the Hornets, one thing is clear that their defense is stifling and with teams shooting around 31% from three, they boast of elite perimeter defense.

There are certain offensive issues

In these last five matches, Washington has not scored more than 100 points which indicates that the team struggles at that end sometimes. Against Hornets, the team produced a lowly 87 points performance, which can be a cause of concern in the long run. Beal, Harrell, and Dinwiddie do give them 20 points or more regularly but there are concerns from the off-the-bench scoring. Wizards shot a paltry 10% from three against Charlotte and the three-point shooting can be a tad inconsistent from them.

Loaded offensively

With Adebayo, Herro, and Butler in the fray, Miami is surefire to get 20 points through three players on most nights. Butler leads the way with his all-around scoring talent and Herro is an ignitor off the bench. Even if Adebayo missed the last game, the Heat scoring showed up big time. But there is one concern, Duncan Robinson is shooting a low percentage from three and is out-of-sync. The Heat can go cold from the floor at times but in the long run, they look secure on that end.

They have tough defenders

Heat regulars Lowry and Butler can pin down the perimeter while a defender like PJ Tucker can shut it both inside and outside. With Adebayo in the middle, the defensive rotations are stifling and indeed it is no surprise that the team gives around 102 PPG on average. Miami has limited oppositions to under 100 points in nine of the 15 games so far and teams are vulnerable against them both in shootouts and in low-scoring games.

Below is the list of players who have been leading the way recently:

• The Heat has five players averaging at least 11 PPG.
• Jimmy Butler has scored 31 points twice in the last three games.
• Tyler Herro averages around 20 Points per game.
• Lowry rested in the last contest versus the Pelicans but may return for this game.
• Spencer Dinwiddie shot 0/5 while Kyle Kuzma shot 2/12 against the Hornets. Both players average more than 13 points per game.
• Miami has won three games after losing three before.
• Bradley Beal is averaging around 23 PPG for the Wizards.
• Montrezl Harrell is averaging around 18 points and 9 rebounds.
• The Wizards have a 4-3 record away from home and they will play Miami away from home too.
• The Heat outfit is 5-1 at home.
• Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry didn’t play against the Hornets.
• Thomas Bryant and Rui Hachimura continue to be out for the Wizards.

The Heat has an edge in this encounter playing at home but the Wizards defense can be a maze to deal with. The Heat possesses a decent amount of depth but will still wish that Lowry and Adebayo return for the game. Wizards do have a 10-4 record but they are not as penetrative a squad like Warriors.

Prediction: Miami will win but not so comfortable and both teams will struggle to put up points.

• Total 2: 101.5 Over for 1.95;
• Home Team Total Points: Over 108.5 for 1.90;
• Total O 209.5 for 1.90.