Miami Heat vs LA Clippers Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 13, 2025

The Miami Heat and the LA Clippers face each other for the first time this season on Monday. Miami will cap off a season-high six-game road trip with a matchup against a team forced to postpone its previous home game due to wildfires. Jimmy Butler remains suspended, but Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic are ready to lead the Heat.

The Clippers’ season took an unexpected snag when their home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday was postponed. Despite fires reportedly still raging in multiple areas, the NBA announced the resumption of action in Los Angeles on Monday. Ty Lue, who has a fully healthy squad for the first time this season, hopes the break will benefit his team.

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Miami Heat vs LA Clippers Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

The Intuit Dome in Inglewood will host the Grizzlies-Rockets game. Fans can also stream the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Heat (+200) vs. Clippers (-245)

Odds: Heat (+6.0) vs. Clippers (-6.0)

Total (O/U): Heat (o215.5 -110) vs. Clippers (u215.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Miami Heat vs LA Clippers preview

The Miami Heat have relied heavily on Tyler Herro to carry them without Jimmy Butler. Erik Spoelstra will again count on the sweet-shooting guard to give the team a lift.

Against the Clippers’ usually elite defense, Spoelstra will try to give Herro as much open space as possible. Expect the Heat to force his defenders to go through a phalanx of screens. If Herro can’t deliver, somebody else like Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr. must step up to help carry the offense.

The Clippers' ball movement has not been ideal in their last five games, which they are only 1-4 in. During that stretch, they tallied 100 assists compared to their opponents’ 140. The extended break due to the wildfires should allow them to address that part of their game.

LA’s defense has usually been solid, particularly with Kawhi Leonard available. If their offense regains its rhythm, they could defend their home court against the streaking Heat.

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Miami Heat vs LA Clippers betting tips

The LA Clippers restricted Kawhi Leonard to 20 minutes in two games since returning from a knee injury. Ty Lue has said that they will continue to be extra cautious with the two-time NBA Finals MVP. The Claw is also still rusty after the long injury layoff. Leonard could fail to top his 13.5 (O/U) points prop.

Tyler Herro is averaging 22.7 points per game in January but struggles to score against good teams. He had 17 points against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2 and needed two overtimes to tally 26 points against the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 6. Herro mustered 14 points versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. LA could hold him under his 22.5 (O/U) points prop.

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Miami Heat vs LA Clippers prediction

The Miami Heat are in their best form since the team announced Jimmy Butler’s suspension. The LA Clippers are struggling, but they are well-rested, they are at home and will have Kawhi Leonard. LA could snap out of their funk but allow the Heat to cover the +6.0 spread.