Los Angeles Lakers (18-17) vs Miami Heat (19-14)
2024-01-03 22:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 -- Over/Under: 226.5
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The Miami Heat travel to the Crypto.com Arena to battle the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Here’s a Heat vs Lakers prediction.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been in fine form as they’ve won seven of their last 11 games overall, but they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat here after getting thrashed by the Clippers in a 121-104 road loss on Monday. Bam Adebayo led the team with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, Kevin Love added 17 points while Jaime Jacquez Jr and Duncan Robinson scored 15 points each. As a team, the Heat shot 42 percent from the field and 11 of 34 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates to an early 14-point lead, only t get completely outpaced the rest of the way as they just couldn’t keep a lid on the Clippers who shot over 58 percent from the field for the entire game.
Miami Heat Team Facts
- The Heat have lost each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Heat have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against teams that held a winning record.
- Each of the Heat’s last seven games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in a rut as they’ve lost seven of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping for a better performance after getting run over by the Pelicans in a 129-109 road loss on Sunday. LeBron James led the team with 34 points and eight assists on 12 of 24 shooting, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves scored 20 points each while Taurean Prince chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 47 percent from the field and 10 of 32 from the 3-point line, but they weren’t at their usual standards on the defensive end as they were always trailing after allowing 74 points in the first half.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Facts
- The Lakers have won 12 of their last 13 home games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games at Crypto.com Arena against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- Seven of the Lakers’ last eight night games at Crypto.com Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.
Heat vs Lakers prediction
The Heat are still shorthanded with Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin and Josh Richardson all out, while the Lakers are still without D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura. Both teams are missing plenty of players in this one, but it’s been the Heat who have dealt with it better. The Lakers really need a win to get their season back on track, but I think the Heat are going to surprise us again and push the Lakers to at least get the cover here.
