The Miami Heat pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat were building nicely with three wins in a row before they ran into the Spurs who defeated them by 107-101 back on Thursday. Bam Adebayo led the team with 31 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, Andrew Wiggins added 24 points on 11 of 18 shooting while Simone Fontecchio chipped in with 18 points on five of nine shooting off the bench.
As a team, the Heat shot 43 percent from the field and 15 of 38 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Spurs in the first half. Before they went cold and allowed the Spurs to close the third quarter on a pivotal 13-0 run. The Heat tried their best to make it a contest as they took the lead midway in the fourth quarter before the Spurs responded and ran away with it.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to heat up as they’ve won four of their last five games overall. They will be aiming for a third straight win after sneaking past the Grizzlies in a 117-112 road win on Friday. Luka Doncic led the team with 44 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 14 of 27 shooting, Austin Reaves added 21 points while Marcus Smart chipped in with 12 points.
As a team, the Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 13 of 38 from the 3-point line as they got off to a poor start and leaked 42 points in the second quarter to fall behind by 15 points. Before they clicked into gear and dominated the second half by 62-43 to run down the Grizzlies with time to spare behind another big night from Doncic.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The home team has won eight of the last nine games between the Heat and Lakers.
- The Heat have lost seven of their last eight games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as home favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Lakers have lost each of their last four games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Heat and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Heat have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games as road underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last six night games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Heat’s last nine road games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Lakers vs Heat Prediction
The Heat are still missing Tyler Herro, and they are keeping an eye on Norman Powell who is questionable, while the Lakers are missing LeBron James, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber once again. The Heat were aiming for a fourth straight win before they lost to the Spurs in their last outing, but they could have Powell back in the lineup which would be a major boost.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have been in great form recently and they look more dangerous now that Doncic is back in the lineup and steering the offense. I might be more tempted with the Heat if I knew that Powell was definitely going to return, but with his status unclear, I will stick with the more reliable Lakers to get the job done at home.