It’s a clash of two squads building momentum for the postseason. The Dallas Mavericks are far more dangerous as of now, though, as they are the hottest team in the league.
Catch the game tomorrow at 7:30 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Dallas Mavericks (49-30, 24-15 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Luka Doncic
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- PJ Washington
- Daniel Gafford
The streaking Mavericks have won 15 of their last 17 games. They average 118.6 points per game and only allow 106.7 on the other end during that span. Coincidentally, that stretch started in a 114-108 win vs. Miami last March 8th, where Luka Doncic busted out a triple-double: 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. He also had the same feat in Wednesday’s victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Being a top candidate for the MVP award, Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.4 SPG) is sure to be the man to watch yet again, alongside Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG), who’s been distraction-free for a while now and paying fabulous. However, since tomorrow is on 0-days rest, there may be a chance that at least one of them sits it out.
If either is unavailable, anyone between Tim Hardaway, PJ Washington, Dante Exum, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II can have a big night. All have had its shine over the past week – Washington’s 32 vs. GSW and Gafford’s 26 vs. CHO are recent examples.
HOME: Miami Heat (44-35, 20-18 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Terry Rozier
- Tyler Herro
- Jimmy Butler (day-to-day)
- Caleb Martin
- Bam Adebayo
The Heat are 5-2 in their last seven games. They put up 118.1 PPG with a +13.9 differential across that stretch, which is a bit misleading since it includes a massive 60-point win (142-82) over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Head coach Erik Spoelsta and his boys are in for a crucial finish as they are jockeying for the 6th spot in the East—they’re currently 8th. On Monday, they had a cardiac double overtime, 117-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The group showed fight, but it was a Trae Young-less Hawks, so you can look at it two different ways–should they really feel good about their fight if it was against a depleted opponent?
The team’s trio of 20-point scorers–Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro–will be the main guys as always, though at least one may rest since it’s Day 2 of a back-to-back. Terry Rozier (neck) and Duncan Robinson (face) are dealing with injuries and are considered questionable.
Caleb Martin, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, and Nikola Jovic lead the secondary weapons. Martin missed all of his nine shots vs. ATL and should look for a bounce-back game.
PICKS:
Spread: Heat (+5.5)
Over/Under: Over (215)
