Golden State has won five straight following an 0-3 start and takes on Miami in the Warriors' fourth straight game at the Chase Center. Stephen Curry is leading the way, averaging 30 points per night. First-round lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg has turned heads, averaging just over 20 a night on 50% shooting. Thursday's 10:00 pm ET tip will come on the heels of two full days off for the Dubs. Miami simply cannot relate. The Heat needed overtime to beat a 1-6 Clippers team last night, so they are on the second leg of a back-to-back against a red-hot opponent.
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo's production, the Heat have had a disappointing start to the season. Both are playing heavy minutes, 41 apiece last night in Los Angeles. Miami is 3-5 and ranks 26th in defensive efficiency. The Heat lost their only game on a second night of a back-to-back this season to Charlotte.
Lendeborg scored 37 against the Clippers on Sunday without Curry and has 26 or more in four of his last six games. Golden State's home wins over the Lakers and Clippers this week came by 17 and 12. The Heat may be able to score out of the gate, but I don't see them matching the pace of a Warriors team playing with all the confidence. Give me the Warriors to cover.
Heat vs Warriors prediction: Golden State -6.5 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable to -7.
