Miami Heat vs Golden State Warriors
PREVIEW: The Golden State Warriors, sitting eighth in the West with a 9-7 record, travel to face the Miami Heat, who hold the seventh seed in the East at 8-6. Golden State brings elite three-point shooting prowess, ranking first in high-frequency attempts at 50.5 percent, while maintaining fourth-ranked free throw efficiency at 82.9 percent. The Heat counter with league-leading pace, ranking first in quick tempo, and boast third-ranked passing ability to facilitate their offensive flow. However, Miami's defensive vulnerabilities are glaring—they rank 29th in three-point attempts allowed and dead last in offensive rebounding at 21.0 percent, weaknesses the Warriors' high-volume shooting could exploit.
A significant health concern looms over Golden State, as Steph Curry is listed day-to-day after tweaking his ankle in the first half of their recent loss. The Warriors' defensive rebounding sits at fifth-ranked, but their average rim-attacking frequency at 23rd suggests they may struggle to generate second chances. Miami enters on a roll, posting a 5-1 mark across their last six contests and maintaining an impressive 6-1 home record that gives them a substantial advantage. The Heat's offensive efficiency has been a revelation this season—they rank third in scoring at 124.6 points per game while Norman Powell leads the charge with a team-high 25.5 points, shooting 46.1 percent from deep.