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The Golden State Warriors complete a six-game, nine-day road marathon with a challenging stop in Miami, where the Heat enter rested and trending upward. Golden State arrives at 9-7 but faces a major unknown: who will actually play? Jimmy Butler III logged 38 minutes on Tuesday with a season-high 33 points, Stephen Curry played 34 minutes, and Draymond Green went 31. Warriors coach Steve Kerr indicated the staff would huddle with trainers and veterans before deciding which players rest on this back-to-back.
The Heat, now 8-6, continue to outperform expectations without Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Miami beat the Knicks in a tight 115-113 finish Monday, reinforcing its ability to compete late in games despite missing its two All-Stars. The extra rest advantage is notable: Miami plays its third game in seven days, while Golden State plays its sixth in nine.
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Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat |
| Venue | Kaseya Center — Miami, FL |
| Date | Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 PM ET |
| Broadcast | NBCS |
| Records | Warriors 9–7 (West 8th), Heat 8–6 (East 7th) |
Line & Betting Movement
Early markets opened Heat -4.5, but injury uncertainty around Golden State pushed the line to Heat -6.5. Books anticipate at least one Warriors star resting, especially after Tuesday’s heavy workloads. Should Curry or Butler be ruled out, the spread could climb toward -7.5 or -8.
The total opened at 228.5 and moved to 230.5, driven by Miami’s high-possession pace and Golden State’s top-tier three-point volume. Bettors expect efficiency from both sides: Miami ranks among the league’s fastest teams, and Golden State ranks first in threes made per game.
Warriors Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Kuminga | Out | Bilateral knee soreness |
| Al Horford | Questionable | Back-to-back rest management |
| Jimmy Butler III | Questionable | High workload (38 minutes Tuesday) |
| Stephen Curry | Questionable | High workload (34 minutes Tuesday) |
| Draymond Green | Questionable | Veteran rest consideration |
Heat Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | Questionable | Left big toe sprain |
| Tyler Herro | Out | Left ankle surgery (near return) |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Probable | Knee soreness |
| Nikola Jovic | Probable | Minor hand soreness |
The Warriors Can Win If…
Golden State must rely on efficiency and pacing discipline after burning heavy minutes Tuesday. If Curry plays, the Warriors’ league-best 16.2 made threes per game (37.5% accuracy) gives them a weapon Miami struggles to contain. Jimmy Butler III’s aggressive downhill scoring (33 points vs Orlando) remains essential, especially if Kerr trims his rotation.
Defensively, Golden State allows just 114.4 points per game—solid enough to slow Miami if they control turnovers. The Warriors also rank top-six in limiting opponent threes, a critical factor against Miami’s transition-triggered pace. The greatest obstacle is fatigue; if legs aren’t there on back-to-back threes, Golden State’s offensive identity suffers dramatically.
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The Heat Can Win If…
Miami’s blueprint is straightforward: keep the pace blistering and attack in waves. The Heat rank third in scoring (124.6 PPG) and first in possessions per game (105.9). Their balanced attack—seven players in double figures Monday—gives them lineup flexibility that Golden State likely cannot match on tired legs.
Kel’el Ware’s rebounding surge (14 boards vs New York) helps Miami thrive on second-chance opportunities, while Norman Powell (19 PPG) shoulders perimeter scoring. If Adebayo returns, Miami’s interior advantage becomes overwhelming, but even without him, Spoelstra’s rotation has been sharper and more consistent than Golden State’s.
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Projection
Heat 120, Warriors 115
Miami’s rest advantage, depth, and pace tilt the matchup. Even with Curry active, Golden State’s short turnaround presents structural challenges, particularly defending Miami’s transition push.
Best Pick
Warriors +6.5
Golden State’s defense and three-point ceiling keep this within reach. Even with uncertainty around rest schedules, the Warriors have kept games close throughout this trip. This line is inflated by scheduling fatigue and speculation; Golden State’s efficiency trends support a competitive finish.
