The NBA betting season begins on Monday, January 02, so we’re splitting up the cross-conference matchup between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Jimmy Butler QUESTIONABLE, Kawhi Leonard READY for Heat vs. Clippers
Also read: Pelicans vs. 76ers Injury Reports: Brandon Ingram, Tyrese Maxey RETURN?
- Jimmy Butler
Butler (knee) is expected to play against the Clippers on Monday.
Butler has become one of the league’s most frustrating players for fantasy managers, as he is a virtual lock to miss at least one game per week
. The veteran didn’t play against Utah on Saturday, but he should be back in the lineup as Miami begins a four-game week.
Butler hasn’t played in more than three games in a row since mid-November, and he’s missed 12 of the Heat’s last 22.
- The Heat
The Miami Heat (19-18; 13-22-2 ATS) returned to winning ways on New Year’s Eve.
Following a 124-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets on the first night of a back-to-back, the Heat defeated the Utah Jazz 126-123 on the second night of a back-to-back.
The game in Salt Lake City was close, with neither team leading by more than ten points.
Miami shot 50.6% from the field (13-for-39 from deep) and had a 32/12 assist-to-turnover ratio, but they also gave up 16 offensive rebounds and 17 three-pointers.
Tyler Herro hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired for Miami, who finished with 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five turnovers.
Injury Report
| PLAYER | POSITION | UPDATED | INJURY | INJURY STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Vincent | PG | Sun, Jan 1 | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Duncan Robinson | SG | Sun, Jan 1 | Hamstring | Game Time Decision |
| Caleb Martin | SF | Sun, Jan 1 | Quadriceps | Game Time Decision |
| Nikola Jovic | PF | Sun, Jan 1 | Back | Game Time Decision |
| Jimmy Butler | SF | Sun, Jan 1 | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Dewayne Dedmon | C | Sun, Jan 1 | Foot | Game Time Decision |
| Omer Yurtseven | C | Sun, Nov 13 | Ankle | Expected to be out until at least Feb 24 |
MORE: Lakers Injury Reports: Will LeBron James and Anthony Davis PLAYING vs Hornets?
- Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is participating in this game.
Leonard led the team with seven assists, and his 24 points were second only to Paul George.
The veteran forward finished December on a high note, averaging 20.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 11 games. By this point, it appears that the early season health concerns have all but vanished.
- The Clippers
Last Saturday, the Los Angeles Clippers (21-17; 20-18 ATS) finished their five-game east coast road trip with a 131-130 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
In the paint, the Clippers were outscored 58-40, and they gave up 28 assists while forcing only 12 turnovers.
The Clippers shot 16-for-34 from 3-point range and 28-for-29 from the charity stripe, but they were unable to slow down the Pacers’ offense.
Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 35 minutes, while Reggie Jackson had 13 points and three assists.
The Clippers finished their road trip with a 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS record. They’ve won four of their last five home games and are 4-1 SU and ATS in that span.
The Clippers have the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA (110.8) and are tied with the Heat for the fifth-worst offensive rating (111.1).
At 37.5 percent, LA averages 12.9 triples per 100 possessions (tied for ninth) (8th).
Injury Report
| PLAYER | POSITION | UPDATED | INJURY | INJURY STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Batum | PF | Sun, Jan 1 | Ankle | Game Time Decision |
