Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat 3/23/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
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Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat Matchup Preview (3/23/22)
The Golden State Warriors (47-25) battle the Miami Heat (47-25) Wednesday night in FTX Arena. The Warriors are struggling recently, going 4-6 in their last 10 games with the 13th Offensive Rating and 19th Defensive Rating. Stephen Curry was injured against the Boston Celtics, but he is expected to return for the playoffs. The Warriors are lost a heartbreaking 110-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Jordan Poole started in Curry’s place and produced 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 52.3 FG%. Klay Thompson found his shooting stroke and dropped 24 points on 6/12 from three. Off the bench, veteran Otto Porter Jr added 16 points and 16 rebounds. However, Keldon Johnson – 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists – made a put back game winner off of a missed free throw. Josh Richardson scored 25 points off the bench for the Spurs. Against the Heat, the Warriors will be without Curry, Draymond, Klay Thompson, Otto Porter Jr, Andre Iguodala, and James Wiseman. Jordan Poole will be the main guy for the Warriors here.
The Heat have cooled off somewhat, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. Over that span, they own the 21st Offensive Rating and 6th Defensive Rating. Miami enters this game after a brutal 113-106 loss to the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid and James Harden were both absent, but the Heat couldn’t limit the 76ers offense. Jimmy Butler was excellent with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Bam Adebayo contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had an all-around game with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Tyrese Maxey was a star for the 76ers – 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. The 76ers bench outscored the Heat vaunted bench 46-29, and the 76ers shot 50.0 FG% and 40.5 3PT%. The Heat will look to recover from this loss and take down the Warriors. Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro are out. Jimmy Butler, Victor Oladipo, and Cody Martin are game time decisions.
Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat Betting Odds
The Warriors won the previous matchup 115-108 on January 3rd. The Warriors held an 8-point 1st quarter lead and managed to hold it the rest of the game. Jordan Poole exploded for 32 points off the bench on 70.5 FG%. Draymond Green stuffed the box score with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks. Butler paced the injured Heat with 22 points on 50 FG%. In this rematch, I like the Heat to avenge their loss. The Warriors are without several key players, and I don’t think they can match the Heat’s talent even if Butler doesn’t play. Bam is a complete mismatch for Looney, and the Heat defense will show up. I expect the game to be low scoring because of this Heat defense and the Warriors’ injuries.
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TV Schedule
Date: 3/23/22
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: FTX Arena – Miami, FL
Channel: NBA League Pass
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Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup
PG: Jordan Poole
SG: Gary Payton
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Kevon Looney
Golden State Warriors Analysis
The Warriors will lean on Poole to be their leading scorer and facilitator here. Kyle Lowry is a tough matchup here, especially since they cannot use Looney to get the switch in the pick and roll. Bam Adebayo is a defensive monster who can guard the perimeter, so Poole won’t see much of an advantage in the pick and roll. Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes of being a future All-Star, but PJ Tucker is a sturdy defender. Kuminga has a quickness advantage, but Tucker knows all of the defensive tricks in the book. Outside of those two, the Warriors must get production from Andrew Wiggins. He needs to show why he was an All-Star starter this year. He’s been excellent as a catch and shoot threat, but Golden State needs to get contributions from him as a ball handler. Poole is a great spot up weapon who can come off screens, so Wiggins being the ball handler would access this dimension of their offense. Overall, it will be tough sledding for this depleted Warriors team. The young guys will get a chance to show why they are the future for the Warriors. Moses Moody can exhibit his potential as the starting future point guard, while Poole and Kuminga can show their potential.
Miami Heat Starting Lineup
PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat Analysis
The Heat can suffocate the Warriors with their lengthy, versatile defense. PJ Tucker can match Kuminag and contain his scoring and rebounding. Adebayo will kill any action in the paint, and Lowry/Butler will hound their opponent all night. Duncan Robinson is a huge defensive weakness, which is an avenue the Warriors can pursue. The Heat should hope Robinson can break out of his slump and provide some offense. He’s arguably the most inconsistent player in the NBA. Butler can defend Wiggins with his toughness and effort. Off the bench, the Warriors can stop the shooting and playmaking of Strus. Strus is an excellent backup guard and underrated playmaker; however, Gary Payton II is a defensive monster who thrives guarding the pick and roll. If Strus gets going for the Heat, the Warriors will have a hard time winning this game.
Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat Daily Fantasy Picks
I like Poole, Butler, and Adebayo in this matchup. Curry’s injury means Poole becomes the primary playmaker for the Warriors. Poole is likely the guy to pace the Warriors in scoring. He can score at all three levels, and the volume will be incredible for him. For the Heat, Butler is a steady presence who adds value in every box score category. I expect him to score around 22 points with about 6-7 rebounds and assists. Finally, the player with the best matchup here is Bam Adebayo. Bam is used to posting monster numbers against centers 2-4” taller than him. Kevon Looney, though, is similar to Bam in terms of size. Adebayo is a lock for a double-double here, and I think he scores 18-22 points with a few assists. He’s a complete mismatch for Looney, and I expect the Heat to utilize this advantage.
