Division Leaders Clash as Heat Visit Warriors

Golden State won its opening game of the 2022 calendar year by defeating the Utah Jazz on the road on Saturday night. The Warriors are an NBA-best 28-7 and lead the Pacific Division by a half-game over the second-place Phoenix Suns.

If you want to bet online on this contest, the NBA lines have the Warriors as 11-point favorites, with the over/under set at 214½ points. Betting on the moneyline will get you Golden State at -600 and Miami at +450.

Road Troubles

Miami has been a different team on the road compared to playing at home, going 12-4 at FTX Arena compared to 11-10 as the visiting team. The Heat fell to the 15-win Kings on Sunday night, who are under .500 even when playing at home.

Rookie center Omer Yurtseven had a big night in the loss, finishing with 22 points and 16 rebounds to set career standards in both categories. Yurtseven is starting in place of the injured Bam Adebayo and is averaging 14.6 rebounds over the last eight games.

Forward Jimmy Butler is taking on as much as he can with Adebayo’s absence, averaging 23.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals. Guard Duncan Robinson also is out due to the league’s health and safety protocols

Guard Tyler Herro is getting more time with Robinson sidelined, and he’s been averaging 20.5 points. Herro can be hot and cold with his shooting — he’s hitting 39.3 percent from 3-point range — but when he gets going, he can be hard to stop.

Waiting Game

The calendar has turned to 2022, so Warriors fans know the countdown to Klay Thompson returning to the court is starting to dwindle a bit.

There was a thought this might be the game that he’d make his season debut (and first appearance since the 2019 NBA Finals), but it will likely be another week or so.

Of course, the Warriors still have Stephen Curry, the third-leading scorer in the NBA at 27.7 points per game. Curry just had 28 points and nine assists as Golden State rallied for a win at Utah.

“It’s a good confidence builder to be in these types of settings on the road and get wins like this and show who we are,” Curry said after Saturday’s win. “Our DNA is built on chasing championships, and you got to win games like we have to get it done.”

The Warriors will get a boost from the return of forward Draymond Green, who has cleared health and safety protocols and will be eligible to play after being out since Christmas Day against Phoenix. Green is averaging 8.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.4 steals while often setting up the offense and anchoring the defense.

Guard Andrew Wiggins has been back for two games after missing 10 days due to protocols. He scored 25 points in Saturday’s win and is averaging 19.0 points.

Golden State Warriors Get Home Win

Miami has struggled to play well on the road, and they’re facing the second of a back-to-back against the best team in the league. The Heat are going to have trouble keeping Curry from lighting it up as the Warriors cruise to the win.

When doing your NBA betting, take Golden State to win and cover at home.

Pick: Golden State Warriors -11