Lakers vs Heat Betting Preview: LeBron Returns to South Beach

Miami Ready to Cook

The Miami Heat will hope to heap more misery on the Lakers when they welcome LeBron James and company to South Beach. Here’s a look at our Lakers vs Heat Betting Preview as we analyze how both NBA teams match up.

The Heat are still dealing with a lack of continuity in their rotations, but managed to overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last start despite being without Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo. Both will be hoping to return to the lineup tonight.

The Lakers are coming off a 129-110 win over the Orlando Magic last night. LeBron logged 31 minutes and in a game that will be their third road game in four nights, it would be good to keep a close eye on the injury report to see if he’s available for this one.

The spread for this game is set at 7.0 points in favor of the Heat. The Lakers are currently +240 on the Moneyline. Be sure to follow the NBA Sagarin ratings for the latest news and rankings.

Game Information

Miami Heat Need Healthy Bodies

Miami will be hoping that the worst of the injury bug is behind them as we head toward the start of the new year. Erik Spoelstra has been without his full repertoire for seemingly the entire campaign, with his starting five playing just 354 possessions this season.

When their five-man lineup of Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Butler, Caleb Martin and Adebayo have shared the floor together they own a +11.0 point differential.

When Butler and Adebayo are both on the floor together their defense still ranks among the NBA’s best. Their 109.4 points per 100 possessions allowed ranks in the 86th percentile in the league for lineups that have played at least 50 possessions together.

Miami’s half court defense should have little trouble locking down this Lakers offense and the point of emphasis from Erik Spoelstra will be to limit the transition opportunities afforded to their opponents.

Los Angeles Lakers Continue to Sputter

Despite their win in Orlando there’s little to suggest the Lakers are figuring things out without Anthony Davis.

The team owns an -8.7 point differential per 100 possessions when he’s off the floor and they rank in the 7th percentile in defensive efficiency to match. Getting stops is made more problematic by the fact they struggle to generate anything in the halfcourt.

The NBA team averages 1.03 points per possession in the halfcourt when Davis is off the floor and their inability to generate second chance opportunities leaves them at the mercy of their ability to dictate tempo and push in transition.

Miami rank 30th in opponent transition frequency so the potential for points is certainly going to be on offer here assuming the Lakers get good news with their final NBA injury report.

“Heat are primed to take advantage of a depleted and fatigued Lakers team. Laying the points with the home team.”

Given the spot both sides are in the Heat are primed to take advantage of a depleted and fatigued Lakers team. Laying the points with the home team looks the strongest angle and if they can limit the Lakers to playing in the halfcourt we could see a comfortable wire-to-wire win for the home team.

That’s all for our Lakers vs Heat Betting Preview. Be sure to check back for more NBA spreads and analysis, as well as the latest points leaders in the NBA.
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