The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors clash in a meeting of two teams both hoping to keep their momentum going.
Catch the game tomorrow at 11:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Miami Heat (3-5, 2-2 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Davion MItchell
- Klay Thompson
- Andrew Wiggins
- Bam Adebayo
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Heat got back on the win column with a thrilling 117-116 overtime win over the LA Clippers Thursday. While the rocky start is still causing concerns, at least some confidence is brewing nicely now.
Giannis Antetokoumpo will remain as the freight train he is, averaging over 28 points per game and delivering double-doubles pretty much every night. What’s great is Bam Adebayo just put forth his best game of the season with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 14-of-20 shooting. Heck, old man Klay Thompson is heating up too – he posted 30 points and buried the game-winner against the Clipps, and had 19 and 25 points in the two contests prior.
Shot creation, defense, and overall consistency are the hurdles that the team is facing now, and we may see it produce ugly losses for weeks, perhaps months – yes, plural. However, this group has enough talent and a solid coaching staff that can turn it around in a snap.
HOME: Golden State Warriors (5-3, 3-1 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Stephen Curry
- Brandin Podziemski
- Yaxel Lendeborg
- Georges Niang
- Draymond Green
The Warriors enter having won five in a row, continuing to erase the sour 0-3 start they had, some of which featured chokejobs. The shoe is on the other foot now as two of their last three victories were gusty, grindout dubs – pun intended.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is just what the doctor ordered for the once dwindling Warriors, just riding the coattails of one Stephen Curry, who will be 39 in a couple of months. The first-year pro is an immediate starter and proving quite worthy courtesy of Rookie of the Year type of numbers: 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.9 rebounds on 50% shooting. He already has a pair of 30-plus point games after just eight contests.
Steph is an ageless wonder and will keep his place as the top scorer, go-to weapon, and all that, but now he gets to do it knowing he’s not alone and the no. 2 guy also has no. 1 potential.
Guards Brandin Podziemski and De’Anthony Melton are also providing dynamic abilities on playmaking and defense, respectively, while vocal leader Draymond Green is also still there to make sure his defense and peskiness is causing chaos in their favor – for the most part.
The Warriors are at home and rested, while the Heat are fresh-off an overtime war. They are in a good position to control the pace.
PICKS:
Spread: Warriors (-7)
Over/Under: Under (235.5)
