Heat vs. Wizards Betting Line

The Heat vs. Wizards betting line had Washington as a -4.5 favorite at Sportsbook.ag.

MIAMI HEAT (27-33) at WASHINGTON WIZARDS (34-27)                                                                

Sportsbook.ag Line: Washington -4.5, Total: 194                                                                  

The Washington Wizards look to shake off some recent struggles when they host the Miami Heat Friday night.                                                                                                          

The Heat haven’t really been healthy all season long but have done well since the All-Star break, going 5-3 SU (3-5 ATS). A majority of the victories came against the bottom-feeders of the NBA with Miami being the favorite in each one. They hosted the Lakers in their most recent matchup when they were giving 9.5 points and failed to cover the spread with a 100-94 win. Miami shot a mere 40.5% in the contest but dominated the boards by 13 and put in 33 free throws compared to just 11 by Los Angeles.

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The Wizards have been absolutely horrible of late and are 1-7 both SU and ATS since February 11^th as they’ve lost three games in that time while being the favorite. The offense has been hard to watch over this stretch, eclipsing 100 points just once as they averaged 90.9 PPG. Washington was still the favorite when it traveled to Chicago and faced the injury-riddled Bulls, but failed to grab a win in a 97-92 game where it was giving 1.5 points. They shot a mere 41.7% in the defeat and allowed three different Chicago players to get 20+ points as they played without a few of its best players.

As an away team, the Heat have performed quite well, going 15-16 SU (16-14-1 ATS) as it faces a Wizards group which has gone 21-10 SU (13-18 ATS) at the Verizon Center. Washington has taken two of the first three games in this season series so far and has won the last contest 105-103 as six-point favorites on the road. Miami shot a scorching 53.3% in the game but were sloppy with the rock and turned it over 15 times. Overall in the past three years, the clubs have played some close battles and the Heat have a slight 6-5 SU and ATS edge in that time.

Trends show that the Wizards are a poor 8-20 ATS (30%) after one or more consecutive Overs this year while also being a solid 27-15 ATS (64%) as a home underdog in the past three seasons. The injury report has SF Luol Deng (Thigh) listed as questionable and PF Chris Bosh (Blood Clot) is out for the remainder of the season for Miami. Washington only needs to worry about PF Kris Humphries (Groin) who is questionable.                                                                                                          

Miami’s offense continues to play at a snail’s pace and it is putting up just 94.1 PPG (3^rd in league) behind 45.5% shooting (14^th in league). Opposing offenses usually have to come down to the Heat’s pace a little bit as they are scoring 96.7 PPG (6^th in league) against them on 45.6% shooting (7^th-worst in league).

SG Dwyane Wade (20.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 1.2 SPG) has a couple of 20+ point performances over the past three games and has averaged 21.0 PPG, 6.3 APG and 3.0 SPG in that time. He’s had at least 20 points in each of his three outings against this opponent this year and did very well (28 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal) in the last meeting.

C Hassan Whiteside (11.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.5 BPG) has been an absolute beast this year and over the past three contests he has put up 16.3 PPG, 19.7 RPG and 2.7 BPG. He was just starting to make his way into the rotation when he last met with Washington and in over 16 minutes scored six points with seven rebounds, two steals and a block.

PG Goran Dragic (16.2 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG) is starting to feel more comfortable with his new club and has 20+ points in three of the past four games. He faced the Wizards twice as a member of the Suns and scored 18.0 PPG with 4.5 RPG and 1.5 SPG.                                                                                                          

This year the Wizards offense has been able to net 98.6 PPG (12^th-worst in league) as they are collectively hitting on 46.6% of their shots (4^th in league). The defense has been able to hold opponents to 98.0 PPG (10^th in league) on 43.7% shooting (8^th in league). PG John Wall (17.2 PPG, 10.1 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG) has strung together three straight solid offensive performances with 21.3 PPG in that time as he added 9.3 APG and 2.0 SPG. He’s posted a double-double in each of the meetings with Miami this year, scoring 18.0 PPG to go with 11.3 APG and 1.3 SPG.

SG Bradley Beal (14.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.3 SPG) has looked rusty in his return from an eight-game absence due to a leg injury and has made a mere 8-of-28 shots (29% FG) with 10.5 PPG in his last two contests. He had mixed results against the Heat in his two games this year and is coming off a solid showing (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals) in the last matchup.

C Marcin Gortat (11.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG) has been playing much better lately with four double-doubles in his past six games in which he averaged 14.2 PPG, 13.2 PPG and 1.2 BPG. He was horrible (4 points, 7 rebounds) the last time he saw Miami, but went for 16.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 1.5 BPG in the other two contests.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter