Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat Prediction, NBA Odds
The Los Angeles Lakers will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back situation when they visit the Miami Heat tonight. Los Angeles prevailed at Houston on Wednesday, extending its winning streak to seven games. Miami had been on a seven-game surge of its own, but has since lost back-to-back contests against Orlando and Charlotte.
This marks the second of two regular-season showdowns between these two teams. They previously squared off in L.A. on November 2, when the Lakers got the job done 130-120.
Lakers vs. Heat NBA Betting Odds
The Lakers were -5 favourites on the NBA odds board when they hosted the Heat at the beginning of this season and won that game by 10 points. However, the situation is unsurprisingly a lot different more than four months later. LeBron James missed the November meeting for Los Angeles, but Miami was without Tyler Herro and Norman Powell. With home-court advantage this time around and their opponents playing on a back-to-back, it’s no surprise to see the Heat favored in the rematch.
Both teams have been extremely profitable of late. The Lakers are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games, while the Heat are 7-2 ATS in their last nine. Miami is 3-1 ATS in its last four at home against L.A. As for the Over/Under, the Over is 3-1 in the Lakers’ last four overall, 5-1-1 in the Heat’s last seven, and 3-1 in the last four head-to-head matchups.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic has been on a roll, leading the Lakers in scoring in 14 of the last 15 games – just as he did against Miami back in November. Doncic is coming off 36-point and 40-point efforts as his team won back-to-back contests in Houston on Monday and Wednesday. He also added 10 assists and nine rebounds last night.
Los Angeles is healthier than it has been all season long – Maxi Kleber is the only player on the roster with any kind of injury designation for Thursday (out with a lumbar issue). It is worth noting, though, that 41-year-old LeBron James is playing on consecutive days after seemingly hurting his elbow on a hard fall late in Wednesday’s victory.
Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo famously scored 83 points last week against Washington, but it has since been a team effort for Miami. Four different guys have led the Heat in scoring over the past four games (Adebayo, Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Tyler Herro). Individually, Adebayo is still scorching hot. The Kentucky product has scored at least 20 points in nine consecutive outings.
Adebayo missed Tuesday’s loss to a red-hot Charlotte squad because of a calf issue, but he is expected to return for this one. Jaquez is questionable with a hip issue, while Andrew Wiggins is sidelined by a toe injury. Wiggins last played on March 5.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Heat?
The Heat’s hot streak has come to an end, plus they are dealing with a couple of injuries. On the other hand, the Lakers are still scorching hot and couldn’t be healthier.
A back-to-back situation with travel involved certainly isn’t ideal, but Los Angeles is 3-1 in its last four second legs, with its only loss coming to one of the best teams in the NBA in San Antonio.
L.A. has great value as an underdog. Let’s go with Lakers 123, Heat 121.123
LAL
MIA