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GAME PREVIEW: Heat host Beal and the Wizards

The Miami Heat will host the Washington Wizards, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

By Matt Pineda
/ new
Washington Wizards v Miami Heat Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

GAME STORY

The Miami Heat get to take a shot at the East’s best record in the Washington Wizards when they both square off on the back-side of a back-to-back. The Wizards (10-4) lost last night to the Charlotte Hornets by 10 points. Miami overcame a 15 point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans behind Jimmy Butler’s return to action.

The Heat look to get Kyle Lowry back and hopefully Bam Adebayo for this big matchup. The Wizards aren’t an overwhelming threat, but they have a quality team that is deep and plays together. And they are good at one thing the Heat are good at: rebounding. The Wizards are the fourth-best rebounding team in the NBA, so a battle of the boards is important.

Miami has won three in a row and this will be their last home game before heading out for another 4-game road trip that extends past Thanksgiving. Their first stop? Washington. This will be the first of a home-and-home set with the Wizards which could really flip their position in the East standings.

Bradley Beal is the main problem the Heat will have to deal with, but the Wizards do have depth. Montrez Harrell off the bench as well as Spencer Dinwiddie with the starters — they’ll have some pieces that will make the Heat work hard in the details in win.

**Update: Coach Wes Unseld Jr. said that he does not expect Spencer Dinwiddie to play vs the Heat.

The KEY MATCHUP is going to be Jimmy Butler vs Bradley Beal. They are great friends and always have friendly competition. But slowing Beal, especially early is going to be key for Miami. Butler should be able to have his way offensively, and the Heat will need to work through him to create for everyone else.

HEAT VS WIZARDS: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 7:30 P.M.

INJURIES

MIAMI:

  • Victor Oladipo - out (knee; surgery rehab)
  • Markieff Morris - out (whiplash)
  • Bam Adebayo - questionable (knee)

WASHINGTON:

  • Davis Bertans - out (ankle)
  • Thomas Bryant - out (knee)
  • Rui Hachimura - out
  • Spencer Dinwiddie - doubtful

LINEUPS

Projected Starters

Clippers Position Heat
Clippers Position Heat
Reggie Jackson PG Kyle Lowry
Paul George SG Tyler Herro
Kawhi Leonard SF Jimmy Butler
Marcus Morris Sr. PF Caleb Martin
Ivica Zubac C Bam Adebayo

BROADCAST INFO

TV: Bally Sports Sun, NBA League Pass
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson, Ruth Riley Hunter)
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)

Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!

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