LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from the NBA Championship after taking Game 4. Will they wrap it up on Friday?
In search of the franchise’s 17th championship, the Lakers come into Friday’s Game 5 as 7-point favourites on the NBA odds, with an opening total of 216.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Despite both of these teams having some of the best offensive superstars in the league, it’s their defensive capabilities that have been on display recently, as the under has gone 6-2 in the last eight meetings between these teams.
The Lakers are 12-5 in their last 17 games against opponents with winning straight up records, while they are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven NBA Finals games. The Heat are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 overall games, including 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against opponents with a winning home record. The under is 9-2 in Miami’s last 11 games against opponents with winning SU records.
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler fell one assist shy of his second triple-double of the series in Game 3, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Butler had some backup with the return of Bam Adebayo, who missed Game 2 and Game 3 with a strained neck. Adebayo put up 15 points and seven rebounds in his return, but Miami needs more secondary scoring if they want to get back in this series.
The Heat only received 13 points from the bench. With the exception of Butler, everyone on Miami needs to step up in Game 5 if they want to stop LeBron James from winning his fourth NBA title.
Los Angeles Lakers
After uncharacteristically poor performances by both players in Game 3, LeBron James and Anthony Davis had bounce-back games on Tuesday. LeBron finished with 28 points (game-high), 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Davis chipped in 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Davis’ defensive contributions in guarding and limiting Jimmy Butler’s opportunities shouldn’t be overlooked as he was a thorn in Butler’s side most of the night.
The role players also stepped up with solid secondary scoring from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (15 points) and Danny Green (10 points), while Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris each had nine points.
Who Will Win Heat vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 7 Oct 4:36am | MIA | -7.5 -110 | O +217 -110 |
| Closing 9 Oct 11:17pm | MIA | -7.5 -110 | O +215.5 -110 |
Injuries
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 04 / 10 / 20 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Vincent has a sore right knee, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 01 / 10 / 20 | 5-1 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Dragic suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. It is expected that he will be available for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Lakers. |
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| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 22 / 09 / 20 | 6-3 | 6-3 | + - |
|
Vincent is battling a sore right knee, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 18 / 09 / 20 | 7-3 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with back spasms, but is likely to take on the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
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| Kelly Olynyk (PF) | Prob Tues | Knee - 07 / 09 / 20 | 9-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Olynyk has a right knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Jae Crowder (SF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 | 9-4 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Crowder is nursing a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Kelly Olynyk (PF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 03 / 09 / 20 | 11-4 | 9-6 | + - |
|
Olynyk is dealing with a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20 | 12-4 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Iguodala is battling a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take on the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Jae Crowder (SF) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20 | 13-4 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Crowder is managing a left ankle injury but is projected to suit up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks. |
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| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20 | 14-4 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. is heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers with an uncertain status due to a sprained left ankle. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger. |
|||||
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sat | Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 | 2-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Thurs | Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. |
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| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 19 / 09 / 20 | 4-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 Oct 4:36am MIA -7.5 -110 O +217 -110 Closing 9 Oct 11:17pm MIA -7.5 -110 O +215.5 -110 -
Injuries
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 04 / 10 / 20Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Foot - 01 / 10 / 20Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 22 / 09 / 20Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 18 / 09 / 20Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Prob Tues Knee - 07 / 09 / 20Jae Crowder (SF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20Kelly Olynyk (PF)
Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 09 / 20Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Fri Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20Jae Crowder (SF)
Prob Mon Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Mon Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20Rajon Rondo (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 04 / 10 / 20 4-0 2-2 + - Vincent has a sore right knee, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Foot - 01 / 10 / 20 5-1 3-3 + - Dragic suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. It is expected that he will be available for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Lakers.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 22 / 09 / 20 6-3 6-3 + - Vincent is battling a sore right knee, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Sat Back - 18 / 09 / 20 7-3 6-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with back spasms, but is likely to take on the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kelly Olynyk (PF) Prob Tues Knee - 07 / 09 / 20 9-4 8-5 + - Olynyk has a right knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Jae Crowder (SF) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 9-4 8-5 + - Crowder is nursing a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Kelly Olynyk (PF) Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 09 / 20 11-4 9-6 + - Olynyk is dealing with a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Fri Ankle - 02 / 09 / 20 12-4 9-7 + - Iguodala is battling a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take on the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Jae Crowder (SF) Prob Mon Ankle - 29 / 08 / 20 13-4 9-8 + - Crowder is managing a left ankle injury but is projected to suit up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Mon Ankle - 23 / 08 / 20 14-4 10-8 + - Jones Jr. is heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers with an uncertain status due to a sprained left ankle.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 1-4 2-3 + - Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 2-4 4-3 + - Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 2-5 5-3 + - Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20 4-6 6-5 + - Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.