Clippers vs. Heat Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 8 (Fatigued Clips Come Up Short)

Clippers vs. Heat Game Info

• Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: FTX Arena -- Miami, Florida
• Coverage: NBA TV

The Los Angeles Clippers are finally back at full strength following the recent returns of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard from injury. One or both may sit on Thursday after playing in LA's overtime loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, however.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are coming off back-to-back losses but will look to reverse that trend at home against a tired Clippers team. Miami now sits at 11-14 (10th in East) after dropping three of its last four, while Los Angeles has slipped to 14-12 (9th in West) after also losing three of its last four games.

Which slumping squad will bounce back with a win in Magic City tonight? Let's dive in.

Clippers vs. Heat Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: LAC: (+194) | MIA: (-235)
• Spread: LAC: +6 (-108) | MIA: -6 (-112)
• Total: 212.5 -- Over: (-112) | Under: (-108)

The Heat enter this game as solid home favorites on both the moneyline and the spread. This game also features the lowest total on Thursday's slate by far at 212.5 points.

Clippers vs. Heat Betting Trends

• The Heat are just 8-16-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, including 3-9-1 at home.
• The Clippers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
• The over is 6-0 in their last six games against each other.
• The total has gone over in the Clippers' last five road games.

Clippers vs. Heat Prediction & Pick

Even if the Clippers are shorthanded again tonight, this should still be a close game. Neither team is playing particularly well at the moment, making this a pretty even matchup.

Both teams rank among the best defenses and worst offenses in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks dead last in scoring but is giving up the fifth-fewest points per game, while Miami ranks 28th in scoring but is surrendering the ninth-fewest points per game.

With both clubs ranking bottom 10 in pace as well, this is shaping up to be a tightly contested low-scoring affair. The Heat have played well at home this year (8-4) while the Clippers have been solid on the road (7-6), so I'll give the slight edge to Miami with home-court advantage and more rest.

Final Score Prediction: Heat: 106 | Clippers: 102

Clippers vs. Heat Best Bet

If there's one thing we know about this game, it's that points will be hard to come by. Both defenses have been elite while both offenses have struggled mightily, which isn't surprising given their sluggish pace.

If George and/or Leonard are out for the Clippers, points will be even more scarce for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Heat have failed to reach 100 points in each of their last two games, making the Under a strong play tonight.

Bet: Under 212.5 Total Points (-108)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.