Given the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler and Miami, is Golden State the right side in Tuesday night’s Heat vs. Warriors matchup at 10:00 p.m. ET? Or will the Heat cover as 9.5-point road underdogs tonight at Chase Center?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Miami Heat (+9.5) at Golden State Warriors (-9.5); o/u 219
10:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Chase Center
TV: N/A
Heat vs. Warriors Public Betting: Bettors Leaning Towards Boston
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 52% of public bettors are currently backing the Celtics when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Heat suspend Butler seven games
Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team. Heat president Pat Riley issued a statement that Miami wouldn’t trade Butler in an effort to reduce the off-court distraction the trade rumors surrounding the 35-year-old small forward caused.
Predictably, Butler didn’t back down from his desire to be traded. He capped off a press conference after Thursday’s game by expressing that he’d like to regain his joy for basketball and probably doesn’t see that happening with the Heat. Then his camp leaked to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania that he’s indicated to Miami’s front office that he’d like to be traded to any other team. Riley and the Heat have responded by suspending Butler for seven games. Where it goes from here is anyone’s guess, but it’s possible he’s already played his last game in red and black.
Curry has strong game in loss to Kings
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 26 points (8-of-12 FGs), seven rebounds, one steal and four 3-pointers in a 129-99 loss to Sacramento on Sunday. Curry got off to a hot start to this game and entered the break with 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Unfortunately, they were already down 24 points by then, and things only got worse in the second half.
Curry was still able to turn in a strong line, but he wasn’t able to provide a true encore after dominating on Thursday and then sitting out the first leg of the back-to-back on Saturday. It makes sense that the rest of the team played like it was their second straight night playing, but that’s just the way the NBA schedule works. Miami will be in town on Tuesday, and they’ll look to get back on track in that one.
Heat vs. Warriors NBA Prediction:
Take Miami. The Heat have dropped three in a row both straight up and at the window. That said, it’s not like Golden State is beating big numbers. The Warriors haven’t been favored by nine or more points since November 25 when they were a 13-point home favorite versus the Nets. They lost that game outright, 128-120. They were also 10.5-point road favorites against the Pelicans on November 22 and won the game by four. You’d have to go all the way back to November 4 for the last time the Warriors were favored by nine or more points and covered (125-112 at Washington). Butler or no Butler, I’m taking the Heat against a Warriors team that has been average at the window all season (17-17-1 ATS).
Heat vs. Warriors Betting Prediction: Miami Heat +9.5