The Miami Heat have been strong on the road this season, but their history is not great against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Staples Center. The defending champs head to the West Coast to face a Clippers team that dominates on home court.
The Clippers are playing in the Staples Center for just the third time in 12 games. The team is averaging 112.6 points at home while winning seven in a road. Blake Griffin has been leading the charge with Chris Paul injuring, putting up 26.6 points per game while shooting 59.5 percent during that winning stretch.
The Heat have been dominant, but they have not won at the Staples Center against the Clippers in over six years. January was a rough month for the defending champs, but since putting together LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, they are 34-6 in February. They started the month out by beating Detroit as Wade put up 30 points and 10 rebounds while James added 24 points in the win.
After taking four games off in January to rest his knees, Wade played 37 minutes against the Pistons. It was his highest total all seasons. In the last two games, he has totaled 52 points, shooting 23 for 34 in that stretch.
The Clippers are coming off a loss to Denver despite putting 115 points. Griffin had 36 points in the loss, while going 6 of 10 from the free throw line in the second half. The Clippers defense struggled as they allowed 17 offensive rebounds resulting in 24 second-chance points for Denver.
Los Angeles has won their last games against Miami at the Staples Center. The Heat are starting a six-game road trip as they are 14-9 away from South Beach this season.
