Thursday brings a battle of big men when Spurs C/F Victor Wembanyama takes on Heat F/C Bam Adebayo in San Antonio. The game is at 8:30 p.m. ET and will air on NBA League Pass.
Both teams are off to hot starts, with the Spurs being 4-0 and the Heat having a 3-1 record.
Below, we'll break down a Heat vs. Spurs prediction and best picks on PrizePicks for Thursday, featuring Wembanyama and Adebayo.
Heat vs. Spurs Prediction, Preview for 10/30
The Spurs will be shorthanded, with PG De’Aaron Fox (hamstring), PF Jeremy Sochan (wrist), C Luke Kornet (ankle), and F/C Kelly Olynyk (heel) all out due to injuries.
The Heat also have their own issues with G Tyler Herro (ankle) out, SG Norman Powell (groin) doubtful, and PF Nikola Jovic (hip) questionable. Both Fox and Herro have yet to play this season for their respective teams.
Miami Heat Preview vs. Spurs
After losing their first game, the Heat have rattled off three straight victories.
Even with Herro out, Miami has pushed the ball on offense. After playing at the fourth-slowest pace (97.08) in the league last season, they've played at the fastest pace (109.13) this season.
San Antonio Spurs Preview vs. Heat
The Spurs have won three of their four games by at least 11 points. However, they haven’t exactly played a loaded schedule.
San Antonio's opponents were the Mavericks, Pelicans, Nets, and Raptors. Those squads have a combined record of 3-16.
Heat vs. Spurs Picks for Thursday
Here are three of the top Heat vs. Spurs picks on PrizePicks for Thursday. Player projections are via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Spurs C/F Victor Wembanyama vs. Heat Projection – 28.5 Points
- Wembanyama has scored at least 29 points in three of his four games and is averaging 31.0 points for the season.
- After attempting 8.8 3-pointers per game last season, the third-year pro has jacked up just 2.8 triples per game this year.
- With Wembanyama shooting fewer 3-pointers, he has increased his field goal percentage from 47.6 last season to 60.3 through four games.
- The former top overall pick has a 32.4% usage rate with Fox still having yet to make his debut.
Heat F/C Bam Adebayo vs. Spurs Projection – 35.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- Adebayo averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game last season.
- With Herro out, Adebayo has seen his usage rate increase from 23.5% last season to 25.8% through four games.
- While his shot attempts are up, the former first-round pick has dished out just 2.8 assists per game.
- Adebayo has recorded fewer than 36 combined points, rebounds, and assists in all four of his games.
- The Spurs have allowed the second-fewest points in the paint per game (39.5) in the league.
Spurs SF Julian Champagnie vs. Heat Projection – 6.5 Rebs+Asts
- With Sochan and Fox out, Julian Champagnie has started all four games this season. He has averaged 29 minutes, a significant increase over his 24 minutes per game in 2024.
- Over 29 starts last year, the 24-year-old averaged 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
- In Monday’s 121-103 win over the Raptors, Champagnie recorded 9 rebounds and 1 assist despite only being needed for 23 minutes with the Spurs winning in convincing fashion.
- The fourth-year forward has accumulated at least 7 combined rebounds and assists in three of four games. The one time he didn’t, he just missed with 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the season opener vs. the Mavericks.
Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks
The Heat and Spurs have combined for just one loss this season, which makes for an appealing matchup between the two on Thursday.
Wembanyama figures to look to lead the Spurs’ scoring attack again, while Champagnie should be primed for more minutes again because of injuries. Adebayo is in a good spot to help make up for injuries on the Heat, but asking him to rack up points, rebounds, and assists against a Spurs team that protects the paint so well might be a tall order.
With an array of projections to consider for Heat vs. Spurs and the rest of Thursday’s slate, now is the time to make NBA picks on PrizePicks.
Just pick players, predict More or Less on at least two projected stats, and win money if you're right. Check out the Playbook for more NBA picks and analysis all season.
