The final matchup of the 10-game slate tonight will see the Miami Heat take on the Los Angeles Clippers in L.A. This inter-conference battle should be a good one, and all of the info you may need is below such as the live stream link, TV schedule, betting line, a preview and prediction for their first contest against each other of 2016.
Game Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN (TSN 1/3, PRIME TICKET or FS-SUN locally)
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Potential Free Live Stream: Stream2U
Betting Line: -5.5 LAC; 97.5 O/U
There are a few injuries in this one that could play a major factor. Blake Griffin has been out for a little while now, but the Clippers are undefeated, surprisingly, during that time. Granted, that was all against sub-.500 teams, which the Heat are not. However, the Clippers will also be without DeAndre Jordan tonight. He has pneumonia, and his NBA-leading streak of 360-straight games without sitting will end. His presence will be missed sorely, especially defensively.
As for Miami, Hassan Whiteside is dealing with a minor knee issue. He was expected to warm up with the intention of playing tonight, but is ultimately a game-time decision. That's the latest on him. With Jordan out, the Heat could potentially play it cautiously. We shall see.
With or without Whiteside, the Heat and Clippers should be relatively evenly matched considering there'll be no Griffin or Jordan for L.A. Well, except for one thing.
Chris Paul has been playing out of his mind lately. His last three games look like this as far as points and assists are concerned:
- 21 and 19
- 25 and 7
- 25 and 11
I like his chances to dominate in this one even without Jordan in the middle considering it'll be a combination of mostly Tyler Johnson and Beno Udrih attempting to cover him. Perhaps Dwyane Wade takes him on late in the game if necessary? I'm not too sure, but CP3 is in for a big one here, and it'll be on him to take over this game if the Clippers are to be victorious.
Wade and Chris Bosh, of course, will do their best to combat that, and have favorable matchups themselves all game. We'll see what the star power remaining after all of these potential ailments is able to do. Personally, I see the Heat pulling the upset in Jordan's absence, especially if Whiteside does in fact play.
Prediction: Heat 97, Clippers 93
