The banged-up Miami Heat will look to pull off another win this Friday, as they kick off a five-game road trip with a showdown against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, on the other hand, are targeting a return in the win column after getting tripped up by the free-throw line the Denver Nuggets.

Catch this game live on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11 AM, Manila time

Away: Miami Heat (18-12/9-6 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Kyle Lowry  (Questionable)
• Duncan Robinson (Questionable)
• Jaime Jaquez Jr.
• Jimmy Butler (Questionable)
• Bam Adebayo

It is difficult to say exactly who will and will not play for the Heat this Friday at Chase Center, with a number of their players either labeled questionable or doubtful for that contest at the time of this writing.  Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and Jimmy Butler have their statuses up in the air following a 119-113 win on Tuesday at home versus the Philadelphia 76ers. 

What’s certain about Miami is that this is a team that finds a way to win, even if that means leaning in a rookie. In the win over the Sixers, former UCLA Bruins star Jaime Jaquez Jr, erupted for 31 points on 11/15 shooting from the field to go with 10 rebounds. A star might have been born that day for Miami, and Jaquez will look to strike while the iron is hot against the Warriors, whose defense has been pretty suspect this season. The Warriors are allowing 115.9 points per game, just 19th in the league. It has always been the next man up for Miami, so even if Butler misses another game, the Heat are confident someone among the remaining healthy bodies on the team will step up. That’s how they have been surviving of late, as they are even 4-1 straight up in their last five games and 3-0 against the spread in their last three outings.

Home: Golden State Warriors (15-14/9-6 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Stephen Curry
• Brandin Podziemski
• Klay Thompson
• Jonathan Kuminga
• Kevon Looney

It doesn’t appear Draymond Green’s suspension is affecting the Warriors much in a negative way. Since Green hit Phoenix Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic in the face and acted as though it was accidental, the Warriors have won five of seven games. They are coming off a 120-114 loss on the road to the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, but all things considered, Golden State is looking fine of late. Green’s indefinite suspension has opened the door for Brandin Podziemski, who has become a weapon for the Warriors. 

The rookie has been inserted into the lineup and he’s been producing nicely. Over the last three games, the guard out of Santa Clara has averaged 12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.9% from deep. He’s also an asset on defense, never shy to sacrifice his body.  Another Warriors rookie making an impact after being given an expanded role is Trayce Jackson-Davis. In the Warriors’ 132-126 upset of the Boston Celtics on Dec. 20, the former Indiana Hoosiers star had 10 points and 13 rebounds.  The Warriors enter Friday’s game carrying a 5-1 record against the spread in their last six home games. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Heat (+2.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (227.5) hits the Under.