Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat Preview (11/1/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

The Golden State Warriors will look to get back to .500 on the road against the equally under-performing Miami Heat. This article covers the game preview, my prediction, projected starting lineups, recent injury news, and current betting odds.

Golden State Warriors Vs. Miami Heat Betting Odds

This game between the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat is a pick’em at the moment. Five days ago, these two teams faced off, with Golden State winning by 13 points at home. This game will be in Miami, but the Heat haven’t been great at covering the spread at home thus far in the 2022-23 season. Victor Oladipo and Omer Yurtseven will be out for the Heat, while Donte DiVincenzo and Andre Iguodala are still injured for Golden State.

Golden State Warriors Vs. Miami Heat Prediction

These teams met in San Francisco just a few days ago, and Golden State was able to secure a double-digit win at home. The Warriors haven’t looked like themselves at the beginning of this season, dropping games to teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. While their other two losses are somewhat justified (Phoenix Suns on the road and Denver Nuggets at home), they have looked sub-par.

Golden State ranks 23rd in the NBA in 3P% (three-point percentage), which has been its staple for over a decade; it also ranks second-to-last in opponent points per game, 22nd in defensive efficiency, and 17th in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage.)

Miami has been equally as bad relative to how it played last season. The Heat were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year and merely one game from their second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons.

Now, Miami is riding a horrendous 2-5 start with losses to Sacramento, Golden State, Toronto, Boston, and Chicago. It ranks 21st in opponent eFG%, 26th in opponent 3P%, 18th in 3P%, and 24th in offensive efficiency. Everything the Heat did well last season has not translated in 2022-23. I’ll stick with the Warriors against the spread, even though Bam Adebayo has a great matchup against this Dubs frontcourt.

Betting Trends

• Golden State is 0-3 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• Miami is 0-4 ATS at home in 2022-23

Key Matchups

The key matchup to keep an eye on in this game is between Bam Adebayo, one of the most talented two-way centers in the league, versus the Warriors’ interior defense, which has struggled so far this season.

Bam Adebayo vs. Warriors’ Interior Defense

Bam Adebayo had a slow start to the season, failing to eclipse 20 points in his first five games and only grabbing double-digit rebounds once; however, in the last two games, he has posted 26 and 23 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Golden State has been horrendous against opposing centers, allowing over 31 points to opposing centers, which is nearly five more points than the next closest team. Additionally, the Dubs allow over 17 rebounds to opposing centers, ranking sixth worse in the league.

Bam Adebayo should have his way with this Warriors frontcourt; Kevon Looney is not talented enough to keep Adebayo off the glass or from scoring. Based on the lineups that Miami has rolled out, it wouldn’t make sense for Golden State to put Draymond Green on Adebayo unless it brought Kevon Looney off the bench. If Looney starts, target this matchup for Adebayo. Advantage: Bam Adebayo.

Golden State Warriors Starting Lineups

PG: Steph Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney

Miami Heat Starting Lineup

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Caleb Martin
PF: Jimmy Butler
C: Bam Adebayo

Key Injuries

Golden State Warriors Injuries: Donte DiVincenzo (Out), Andre Iguodala (Out)

Miami Heat Injuries: Victor Oladipo (Out), Omer Yurtseven (Out)