PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Clippers enter Monday's matchup as one of the season's biggest disappointments, having won just five of their opening twenty games , while the Miami Heat have emerged as surprising contenders in the Eastern Conference. Los Angeles excels at efficient free-throw shooting, ranking first in the league at 84.6%, and leads the NBA in high-frequency post-up attempts , yet they struggle with ball security, ranking 27th in turnover rate and 25th in forcing turnovers on defense. The Clippers have dealt with injuries and inconsistencies, recently suffering a disappointing 114-110 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, Miami operates with a lightning-quick tempo, ranking first in the league, and boasts elite defense that allows low-quality three-point attempts. The Heat's defensive intensity has proven to be their trademark under Erik Spoelstra, and combined with their quick-paced offensive approach, has propelled Miami to fourth in the Eastern Conference despite missing key players Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro for stretches. Miami's high-tempo system generates plenty of floor spacing, though they rank 28th in the league for three-point attempts allowed on defense, and their offensive rebounding lags behind at 22.9%. The Heat look to bounce back after their six-game winning streak ended with a 138-135 loss to Detroit. As the Clippers continue searching for an identity, the Heat appear to have discovered exactly how they want to compete this season.