Golden State (41-30) at Miami (30-41)
- When: Mar 25 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL, USA
- TV: TNT
Game Preview
Spread: Warriors -5.0 | Total: 216.5
Golden State Warriors Outlook
The Warriors have found their rhythm at the right time, going 16-4 since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. That stretch includes solid wins over playoff-bound teams, and Butler has been a driving force behind their late-season surge. His return to Miami adds an emotional edge, but the bigger story here is Golden State’s form and depth.
Stephen Curry’s status remains questionable due to a pelvic contusion, but the Warriors have shown they can still produce without him. Even in his absence, the ball movement and spacing remain elite, and Butler brings added grit and scoring to a team that already has a championship core.
Golden State is on a mission to climb into a favorable playoff seed and has covered the spread in 6 of their last 8 games. Even without Curry, they have the tools to take care of a struggling Miami squad.
Miami Heat Outlook
The Heat finally snapped a brutal 10-game losing streak with a win over the lowly Hornets, but this squad remains in a downward spiral. The departure of Jimmy Butler — and now facing him across the court — adds another layer of tension to a team already fighting to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference.
Andrew Wiggins, part of the trade return, has looked sharp with back-to-back monster performances, including a 42-point outburst. But one hot player won’t be enough if the rest of the roster doesn’t step up. Miami’s defense has fallen apart during this slide, and their offense lacks firepower outside of Wiggins and Tyler Herro.
Despite home-court advantage, the Heat are just 14-18 ATS at home and have failed to cover in four of their last five outings. Given how inconsistent they’ve been, it’s tough to trust them in this matchup.
Betting Prediction
Side: Golden State -5.0
Total: Over 216.5
Golden State’s momentum, defensive edge, and better offensive flow should be too much for a disjointed Miami team. Look for Butler to rise to the occasion in his return and help the Warriors secure a double-digit road win. The Heat’s defensive woes and Wiggins’ scoring surge push this one over the total. Expect a statement win from the Warriors, with or without Curry.
- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
