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Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat: Match Preview and Predictions - 29th November 2019

Golden State's 'elite eight' are holding fort while stars sit out.
Golden State's 'elite eight' are holding fort while stars sit out.

Match details

Fixture: Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat

Date & Time: Friday, 29 November 2019 (8:00 PM ET)

Venue: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

Last game results

Golden State Warriors (4-15): 104-90 win over Chicago Bulls (27 November, Wednesday)

Miami Heat (12-5): 108-117 loss to Houston Rockets (27 November, Wednesday)

Golden State Warriors Preview

The Golden State Warriors have barely been the team that we had been accustomed to seeing. With Stephen Curry, D'Angelo Russell gracing the sidelines as Klay Thompson took to sideline reporting, the Warriors fans have seen it all this year so far.

Left with only 8 healthy players, Coach Steve Kerr is having a hard time keeping the franchise's head above water. Currently, GSW are placed dead last on the league standings with a miserable 4-15 (0.211) record to show.

Key Player - Eric Paschall

Paschall is in the running for Rookie of the Year
Paschall is in the running for Rookie of the Year

The only glaring positive to come out of the Warriors' injury slump, is the discovery of a legit star in rookie Eric Paschall. The 23-year-old is currently leading all available players in scoring with a respectable average of 17.4 points. He is shooting over 50% from the floor and grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game, while pulling off some pivotal plays for his ailing squad on a nightly basis.

Also read: NBA 2019-20: 5 teams most impacted by injuries

He plays with aggression and his dominance in the paint is something that the Dubs can effectively incorporate when they're back to full strength.

Warriors predicted lineup

Draymond Green, Eric Paschall, Glenn Robinson III, Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks.


Miami Heat Preview

Coach Erik Spoelstra's side has been an unforeeable entry amongst the top teams in the East. Despite losing two of their last three, Miami Heat hold a solid 4th spot on the Eastern Conference standings with an imposing 12-5(0.706) record next to their name. The team is shooting 49% from the field and possess one of the top 5 defenses in the league right now.

Moreover, their three-point efficiency and field goal percentage is amongst the league's top 3. The pieces have somehow fallen in place for the Magic City this year, as they look to stretch their surging run into 2020.

Key Player - Jimmy Butler

Butler leads the Heat in scoring this year.
Butler leads the Heat in scoring this year.

Jimmy Butler's newest uniform has been a source of surprise for NBA fanatics all across the globe. Not only is he scoring at a reliable pace, but his team is winning despite the absence of any notable megastars.

Also read: NBA Today: Top 5 wing defenders in the league right now

Butler is averaging a team-high 19 points per game, along with 5.4 boards, 6.7 assists and a career-high 2.6 steals per game on the defensive end. He is attempting 8.2 free throws per game and making a career-best 87% of them as well. His squad is feeding off his energy on the court, as he shoots 47% from the field in the last 9 games.

Heat predicted lineup

Meyers Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic.

Warriors vs Heat Match Prediction

The Warriors are a resilient bunch, but are having some serious trouble in closing out games. Against the Heat, the room for error is pretty slim and the odds are stacked against them on the road. Irrespective of Jimmy Butler returning from his illness, Miami is just too good to be beaten by eight rotation players at home.

Where to Watch Warriors vs Heat?

There will be local coverage of the game on NBC Sports Bay Area and Fox Sports Sun from 8:00 PM (ET). You can also live stream the game via NBA League Pass.

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