NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News – 12/20/18

By Tom Petrini | Apr 18, 2023, 11:03pm

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Injury News

For the most up to date injury information, click here.

Clippers: Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) and Jerome Robinson (foot) are out. Lou Williams (hamstring) is questionable.

Heat: Goran Dragic (knee) and Dion Waiters (ankle) are out. Tyler Johnson (illness) and Josh Richardson are probable. Justise Winslow (ankle) is questionable.

Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) is day to day.

Rockets: None

Today’s NBA Matchups

Contents

Injury News
Today’s NBA Matchups

Houston Rockets (16-14) at Miami Heat (13-16)

Line: Rockets -3.5, O/U: 210

Rockets: 110 ppg, bottom-five defense, second-slowest pace

Heat: 107 ppg, top-ten defense, average pace

Notes:

The Rockets have won five straight games, including last night at home by a score of 136-118 over Washington. The Rockets hit an NBA-record 26 three-pointers.
James Harden scored only 35, and I say only because he’s averaging 39 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds over the winning streak.
Nobody played over 35 minutes for Houston, and they’re 3-2 on the second night of back-to-backs.
Miami is extremely banged up. Goran Dragic is getting a knee scope and there is no timetable for his return, so expect more minutes and production from Tyler Johnson. Dion Waiters is out again, and Dwyane Wade has averaged 15 per game on the year at shooting guard.
For a full preview, click here.

Los Angeles Clippers (17-13) vs. Dallas Mavericks (15-14)

Line: Clippers -3.5, O/U: 222

Clippers: 114 ppg, below average defense, top-ten pace.

Mavericks: 110 ppg, top-ten defense, average pace

Notes:

The Clippers have given up 122 points per game in their last five, losing their last four. They are 0-4 at home since beating the Suns at Staples Center in late November.
The Mavs are on a bit of a skid as well, dropping their last three games. They are just 2-11 on the road this year.
Los Angeles is missing Luc Mbah a Moute and probably Lou Williams again. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points in 37 minutes last game.
Luka Doncic is the rookie of the year so far, averaging 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Former Clipper DeAndre Jordan grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds the first time these teams played this year, and it will be interesting to see how the LA crowd welcomes him back.
For a full preview, click here.

Tom Petrini

Daily previews of matchups to watch around the league, and film breakdowns of the best performance from the night before. Twitter @RealTomPetrini, Spurs interviews and analysis @projectspurs.