Washington Wizards at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 1/4/2019

Friday, January 4, 2019

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Washington Wizards travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Friday, January 4, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 8.5 point favorites.

The Wizards head into this matchup with a mark of 15-23. They are 4th in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -4.3 as they average 112.7 points per contest while giving up 116.9 per game. The Heat have an overall mark of 18-18. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They total 106.9 points per contest and give up 105.7, which is a point differential of 1.2.

Valuable Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 12-24-1 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 22-15-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 19-15-1 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 19-15-0 against the over/under

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

12/28/18 PG John Wall Heel is out indefinitely
11/28/18 C Dwight Howard Gluteus is out indefinitely
01/02/19 F Markieff Morris Back is doubtful Friday vs Miami

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/19/18 PG Goran Dragic Knee is out indefinitely
01/02/19 G Dwyane Wade Illness is questionable Friday vs Washington

Player Spotlight

Trevor Ariza averages 11.0 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest. He averages 3.5 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. Bradley Beal comes into this contest averaging 23.6 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside averages 12.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 26.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.8 rebounds per contest and 0.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 44%. Josh Richardson averages 18.5 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Wizards allow 116.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.2 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they give up 25.4 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Washington averages 112.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 40.4 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 29th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 105.7 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 21.8 assists allowed per contest, and 15th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game. Miami is 25th in the league with 106.9 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 1.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 8th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.6 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 23.1. The Heat are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Wizards are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 14th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Washington is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 10th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Heat are 21st in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.6, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Miami -8.5

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