Not many players can guard LeBron James all that well in the NBA, but Miami’s Jimmy Butler has a solid history of checking James. Those two All-Stars face off on Friday night as James’ former Miami Heat team visits Los Angeles. The Lakers are solid NBA betting favorites at Mybookie.
How to Bet Heat vs Lakers NBA Odds & Game Info
- When: Friday, 10:30 PM ET
- Where: Staples Center
- TV: NBA TV
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- Radio: SiriusXM
- NBA Odds: Los Angeles Lakers -8 (total 216.5)
Sixers vs Nuggets 2019 NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction
Heat vs Lakers Series History
The Lakers won both meetings last year, including 108-105 at home. This will be the 63rd meeting between the two franchises, with the Lakers holding a 35-27 all-time lead. Overall, the Lakers 5-5 in their last 10 meetings with the Heat. In Los Angeles, the Lakers are 12-8 vs. the Heat at Staples Center. This series has included four overtime games, with each team winning two.
Why Bet on Miami?
This is the second of a back-to-back for Miami, as it was in Phoenix on Thursday.
Miami started this three-game road trip with a 109-89 loss in Denver on Tuesday. It was the first time the Heat were held under 100 points this season. Miami was outshot from the floor by the Nuggets 52.3 percent to 36.4 percent. Up by 10 at halftime, the Nuggets doubled their lead with a strong third quarter in which they outscored the Heat 31-20.
Rookie sensation Kendrick Nunn started again Tuesday and hit 4-of-14 shots, 2-of-8 3-pointers and 1-of-3 free throws for 11 points, two rebounds, four assists, two steals and zero turnovers. After an incredible five-game October, Nunn is really struggling in his two November games (entering Thursday), hitting 6-of-24 shots for an average of 8.0 points and 4.5 assists per game. Nunn scored 128 points through the Heat’s first seven games this season, marking the third-most by an undrafted rookie through first seven games since 1963-64.
Take under consideration
A handful of Heat players were questionable to play Thursday so monitor their status for this one. Derrick Jones Jr. is dealing with a left groin injury, Justise Winslow a headache and Dion Waiters a stomach bug.
Miami’s defense is holding opponents to just 27.6 percent from three-point range this season, the second-lowest in the league. The Heat’s bench is averaging 45.1 points per game this season, the sixth-highest scoring average in the NBA. The Heat have had had a different leading scorer in six of their seven games this season.
Former Heat player Dwyane Wade and current Heat boss Pat Riley, the former championship-winning coach of the Lakers, will be on hand for this game. Wade is currently living in Los Angeles and is good buddies with LeBron James. Riley helped lead the Lakers to four championships in the 1980s.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 115.00
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.31
- Three-Point Percentage: 40.53
- Free Throw Percentage: 72.44
- Total Rebounds: 45.88
- Total Score: 106.75
- Field Goal Percentage: 43.52
- Three-Point Percentage: 28.34
- Free Throw Percentage: 72.12
- Total Rebounds: 42.63
Why Bet on LA Lakers?
The Lakers lost their season opener and haven’t lost since, rallying from a big deficit on Tuesday in Chicago and prevailing 118-112. Los Angeles trailed by 19 before outscoring Chicago 38-19 in the fourth during the finale of a three-game trip. Kyle Kuzma began the quarter with seven straight points, part of a 16-0 run that lifted the Lakers to a 96-93 lead with 8:12 left. LeBron James was on the bench for most of the big spurt, and Anthony Davis watched the entire run from the sideline.
James triple-doubled with 30 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, two steals, one block and two triples in 35 minutes. It was LeBron’s third straight triple-double, which is the first time he’s done that since December 2017. James became the first player to post three consecutive triple-doubles for the Lakers since Magic Johnson had four in a row in 1987. James has now recorded 84 triple-doubles in the regular season, ranking fifth in NBA history behind current Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd (107).
Davis was in foul trouble and finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in his first game in his native Chicago since he was acquired in a trade with New Orleans. Davis (26.6) and LeBron James (26.1) each average more than 25 points per game on the season and are the only pair of teammates in the NBA to do so.
Good News
The team’s 6-1 start is its best since the 2010-11 season, when Los Angeles started the season with an 8-0 record. Los Angeles has won three games this season after trailing by 10 or more points. The Lakers pulled off 11 double-digit comebacks in 2018-19.
Avery Bradley (bruised lower right leg) plans to play on Friday after not doing so Tuesday. He’s officially questionable, however, and his status won’t be updated until he receives treatment Friday morning. Rajon Rondo (sore right calf) will not play vs. the Heat.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 111.00
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.04
- Three-Point Percentage: 31.71
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.54
- Total Rebounds: 45.71
- Total Score: 101.14
- Field Goal Percentage: 41.68
- Three-Point Percentage: 32.11
- Free Throw Percentage: 79.52
- Total Rebounds: 46.57
Bucks vs Jazz 2019 NBA Betting Lines & Game Preview
Heat vs Lakers NBA Betting Trends
- Under is 13-5 in the last 18 meetings
- Road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings
- Heat are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Pacific division
- Heat are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami’s last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
- Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Eastern conference
- Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in November
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Lakers’ last 6 games against an opponent in the Southeast division
Expert Final Score Prediction for Heat vs Lakers
Miami Heat 104 – LA Lakers 110
