Game Info

When: Friday, January 5 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington

Injury Report

Wizards: Thomas Bryant (ACL, Out), Raul Neto (Groin, Day-to-Day)

Heat: Tyler Herro (Medical Protocols, Day-to-Day); Goran Dragic (Groin, Day-to-Day); Moe Harkless (Thigh, Day-to-Day); Chris Silva (Hip, Day-to-Day); Myers Leonard (Shoulder, Day-to-Day)

Heat: Gabe Vincent (Knee, Game-Time Decision); Goran Dragic (Knee, Game-Time Decision); Moe Harkless (Thigh, Out); Chris Silva (Hip, Out); Meyers Leonard (Shoulder, Out)

Pregame notes

The Washington Wizards (5-13) are matching up against the Miami Heat (7-14) for the second time this week and a third time this season. The Wizards lost to the Heat in January but were able to pull off a 3-point win against them on Wednesday despite being without 8 players, including Russell Westbrook. Washington was led by Bradley Beal with 32 points, 4 assists, and 9 rebounds. With his 15^th point that game, Beal became the second player in Wizards/Bullets history to score 12,000 points. Former Bullets player and NBA champion Elvin Hayes scored 15,551 points. On Wednesday Beal also passed Michael Jordan for the most 25-point games to start a season, with 17 straight. Beal’s Jordan shoe deal must feel a little sweeter right now.

Washington was outscored the first two quarters of Wednesday’s game but they were able to come back from a 13-point deficit. They had 5 players in double-figures but could have had 7 if Robin Lopez and Troy Brown Jr. scored one more point each. The Wizards, who were able to hold Miami to just 35 points in the second half, are going to have to have another decent defensive night on Friday.

The Wizards have only won two straight games one time this season, with both being road games. The first game was against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 1 and the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 3.

Two wins in Miami sounds good to me.