The Miami Heat (23-21) are set to take on the Portland Trail Blazers (22-22) in an inter-conference matchup at the Moda Center on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET.
Neither team seems poised to make a deep playoff run this year, but both sides have found ways to win after losing key starters from last season.
Below, we'll preview the game and break down two of the top Heat vs. Trail Blazers picks on PrizePicks for today, including ones for SF Norman Powell and SF Deni Avdija.
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Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Heat became the league's first 10th seed to make the playoffs in the play-in tournament era last season despite having traded SF Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. Now, the team has retooled by adding another capable scorer.
Powell has helped an offense that struggled last year reach new heights. The former Los Angeles Clippers wing is averaging a career-high 23.7 points per game while shooting 41.6% from deep. His production and efficiency have been major reasons why Miami ranks fourth in PPG (119.5) after finishing last season ranked 24th (110.6).
SG Tyler Herro has only appeared in 11 games due to injuries, but C Bam Adebayo (17.2 PPG), F Andrew Wiggins (15.6), and F Jaime Jaquez Jr. (15.6) have provided support in games he’s missed.
The Trail Blazers’ biggest storyline might be Avdija’s emergence as a true first option. The sixth-year wing boasts career-high averages in points (26.9) and assists (6.9) and is getting to the charity stripe at a ridiculous rate. Only Los Angeles Lakers PG Luka Doncic can top Avdija’s average of 9.9 free throw attempts; Portland ranks third in tries per game (27.2) as a team.
The Trail Blazers are great at creating second-chance opportunities and rank second in offensive rebounds per game (13.7). That strength could be pivotal against a Miami squad that gives up more rebounds per game (47.5) than any team.
Miami must box out with assertiveness to keep the likes of C Donovan Clingan off the glass. Clingan ranks fourth in rebounds per game (10.9) and offensive rebounds per game (4.4).
Heat vs. Trail Blazers Over/Under, Spread
The Heat are road underdogs, returning a 1.92x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Trail Blazers are 2.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.78x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win.
- Spread: Portland Trail Blazers -2.5
- Over/Under: 227.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Heat 1.92x | Trail Blazers 1.78x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Heat vs. Trail Blazers Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Heat vs. Trail Blazers injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Heat Injury Report
- SG Tyler Herro (ribs) – OUT
- C Kel’el Ware (hamstring) – Questionable
Trail Blazers Injury Report
- SF-PF Kris Murray (back) – OUT
- PG Jrue Holiday (calf) – Questionable
- C Robert Williams (knee) – Questionable
- PF Sidy Cissoko (illness) – Questionable
- PF Jerami Grant (Achilles) – Questionable
Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to help you make a Heat vs. Trail Blazers spread prediction today on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Portland is 3-4 against the spread as a home favorite.
- The Trail Blazers are 2-5 ATS on two to three days of rest.
- Only seven teams have covered more times (12) than Miami this season.
- The Heat force the fourth-most turnovers per game (15.1), while the Trail Blazers are turning the ball over a league-high 16.0 times per contest.
- Miami's +1.3 average scoring margin is 13th in the NBA; Portland's -1.9 mark sits 21st.
Heat vs. Trail Blazers Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are two of the top Heat vs. Trail Blazers player projections for today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Heat SF Norman Powell vs. Trail Blazers Projection: 23.5 Points
- Powell has fallen short of his scoring average in three consecutive contests.
- The UCLA product posts a season-low 21.1 PPG on the road this month.
- The sharpshooter spends just 12.0% of his time on the ball, per databallr.
- Portland yields just 111.2 points a night in January.
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Trail Blazers SF Deni Avdija vs. Heat Projection: 40.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Avdija produces a season-high 44.1 combined points, rebounds, and assists this calendar year.
- The Israeli wing generates 28.6 shots and 19.3 potential assists per 100 possessions.
- The Trail Blazers’ leading scorer has made a league-high 404 free throws this year.
- This month, Avdija jacks up 19.1 shots per game.
Make Heat vs. Trail Blazers Picks on PrizePicks
Miami and Portland have looked like play-in tournament teams so far. While both sides are hovering around .500, both can count on reliable offensive engines to get things going. Norman Powell and Deni Avdija remain threats to erupt.
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