The Miami Heat (18-12) take on the Golden State Warriors (15-15) Thursday with tip-off from Chase Center set for 10 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Heat vs. Warriors odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; tied 1-1 last season
The Heat have won 4 of 5, including a 119-113 victory Christmas Day against a Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers squad. The Heat have been rolling despite F Jimmy Butler‘s absence in the last 3 games. F Jaime Jaquez Jr. has stepped up, averaging 20 PPG in those 3 games, including 31 Monday against the Sixers.
The Warriors snapped a 5-game winning streak with a 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets Monday. They covered as 7.5-point underdogs. G Stephen Curry had an off game, going 3-for-13 from distance but had 18 points. G Klay Thompson has improved his play since a really rough start to the season. He’s averaging 20 PPG on 45.5% shooting (41.1% from 3) in December.