Miami Heat vs LA Lakers Player Prop Picks 12-4-24 Picks

Miami Heat vs LA Lakers Player Prop Picks 12-4-24

This matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center in Miami brings together two teams looking to steady their seasons. The Lakers, currently 8th in the Western Conference, have been struggling offensively, averaging just 92 points over their last three games. Anthony Davis remains their standout performer, averaging 27.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. LeBron James, as the team’s playmaker, will be key to orchestrating the offense, particularly as injuries have impacted the depth of their roster. 

The Heat, sitting 7th in the Eastern Conference, have had an up-and-down season and are also dealing with injury concerns. Jimmy Butler is questionable with a knee injury, and Nikola Jovic has been ruled out. This leaves Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro as the primary contributors. Adebayo’s presence in the paint and Herro’s ability to create offense from the perimeter will be critical for Miami, especially as they look to exploit a depleted Lakers lineup.

Lebron James Under 21.5 Points

LeBron James is averaging 22.0 points per game so far this season. Despite his age, he remains an impactful scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting 48.2% from the field. His contributions also extend to other facets of the game, with averages of 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. His ability to score efficiently while maintaining a significant role as a playmaker keeps him a vital component of the Lakers’ success.

We’ve seen Lebron fail to get over 20 points in 5 of his last 6 games. He’s been more of a facilitator role rather than a pure scorer for this Lakers team. I don’t think this is the game where we see Lebron get back on track with his scoring. This Miami team is known for playing good defense and playing at a slow pace. Let’s continue to ride this trend and fade Lebron in this spot.

Tyler Herro Over 4.5 Assists

Tyler Herro has been a consistent playmaker for the Miami Heat so far this season. Through 18 games, he is averaging 4.9 assists per game in 35.1 minutes per contest. His efficiency as a distributor is reflected in his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.02, which highlights his ability to maintain control and make smart plays under pressure. Herro’s passing contributions are complemented by his scoring, as he balances facilitating for his teammates with his own offensive production.

We’ve seen Herro fail to get over this number of 4.5 assists in 3 straight games but I think this is a great spot to buy low. This should be a close and competitive game so expect Herro to get extended minutes. Also, this Lakers team is giving up 28.3 assists per game to opposing teams which is the 4th most in the league. I love this spot for Herro to get back over his assists line. 

Jimmy Butler Over 19.5 Points

Jimmy Butler has been a consistent scoring presence for the Miami Heat, averaging 18.9 points per game so far this season. His offensive contributions include shooting an efficient 53.8% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Butler has been effective at getting to the free-throw line, where he averages 6.4 made free throws on 8.1 attempts per game, converting at a solid 78.8% rate. Notably, he recorded a season-high of 33 points on November 24, 2024, against the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his ability to dominate offensively when needed.

Jimmy Butler didn’t play in the Heat’s last game against the Celtics but it looks like he’ll return back to action against the Lakers. The Lakers have been lackluster on defense allowing 114.9 points per game to opposing teams which is well above the league average. It seems like Jimmy Butler kicks it in a new gear when he plays a team like the Lakers. With the Heat being favorited in this expect Jimmy Buckets to have a solid game and score at least 20 points.