Oddsmakers have the Los Angeles Lakers as favourites again in Game 4, but Jimmy Butler may have something to say about that.
On the back of Jimmy Butler’s 40-point performance, the Heat are back in this series.
Butler is now only the third player to ever record a triple-double in the NBA Finals and the first to do it in a win, after leading the Heat to a 115-104 victory in Game 3 on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond to a game they were never really in, although they still lead the series 2-1. L.A. is once again the favourite for Game 4, but oddsmakers have dropped them to 7.5-point favourites. The total opened at 218.5 points.
NBA Finals Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Game 4 is huge for both teams. The Heat put themselves back in this series on Sunday and can tie it up on Tuesday, but if the 7.5-point favourite Lakers can take a 3-1 series lead, they’ll push themselves to the brink of their first NBA title in 10 years.
For the most part in these playoffs, the Lakers have been able to put points on the board, with the over going 4-1 in their last five games overall. The over is an identical 4-1 in the Heat’s last five games playing on one day rest, while the under is 9-2 in their last 11 games against a team with a winning straight up record. Miami is 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games as 5-10.5-point underdogs.
Los Angeles Lakers
It was a historic performance for Jimmy Butler in Game 3, as he became only the third player in NBA History (behind LeBron James and Jerry West) to record a triple-double in a finals game and the first to do it in a win. Butler finished with 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Butler wasn’t the only player stepping up in Miami’s biggest game of the year. With Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic missing their second straight game on Sunday, players like Kelly Olynyk are playing huge roles. After seeing limited playing time before the Adebayo and Dragic injuries, Olynyk contributed 17 points in Game 3, accounting for 17 of the Heat’s 24 bench points.
Miami Heat
Nothing was clicking in Game 3, as Sunday was an uncharacteristically sloppy performance for the Lakers. As LeBron James goes, so do his teams. Although LeBron had a team-high 25 points in Game 3 (including 10 rebounds and 8 assists), he recorded eight turnovers after having none in Game 2. As a team L.A. had 10 turnovers in the first quarter alone in Game 3 after recording only nine turnovers in all of Game 2. After dominating Games 1 and 2 with a combined 66 points, the Lakers other superstar, Anthony Davis, ran into foul trouble in Game 3. Davis picked up his third foul by the start of the second quarter and finished the game with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 5 Oct 2:26am | LAL | -7.5 -110 | O +219.5 -110 |
| Closing 6 Oct 10:41pm | LAL | -7.5 -110 | O +219.5 -110 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
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| 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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| 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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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 5 Oct 2:26am LAL -7.5 -110 O +219.5 -110 Closing 6 Oct 10:41pm LAL -7.5 -110 O +219.5 -110 -
Injuries
Danny 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 / 20Gabe 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 / 20Injuries
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.
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.