Game Preview: Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat duke it out once again at the FTX Arena on Friday night.
The Washington Wizards have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after having their two-game win streak snapped by the Heat in a 113-105 road loss on Wednesday. Kyle Kuzma led the team with 33 points on 13 of 27 shooting, Kristaps Porzingis added 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Deni Avdija chipped in with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Wizards shot 47 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line as poured in 37 points in the third quarter to almost erase an early 21-point lead, but they couldn’t maintain that pace and allowed the Heat to slip away in the end.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been in poor form as they’ve lost six of their last 10 games, but they will be feeling much better after arrest a four-game slide with a 113-105 win over the Wizards on Wednesday. Kyle Lowry led the team with 28 points on seven of 12 shooting, Caleb Martin added 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Tyler Herro chipped in with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Heat shot just 41 percent from the field and 16 of 41 from the 3-point line as they held the Wizards to just 17 points in the first quarter to build a 21-point lead which proved to be more than enough in the end despite the Wizards rallying in the third quarter.
The Wizards could be severely shorthanded again as Rui Hachimura, Monte Morris and Bradley Beal are all questionable, while the Heat have Dewayne Dedmon, Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro as questionable with Jimmy Butler ruled out. The Heat were good enough to get the win on Wednesday thanks to a big game from Lowry, but they could be even more shorthanded here. It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row, so I’m going with the Wizards to get their revenge on the road in this spot.