A couple of old familiar foes meet on Wednesday, with the Miami Heat (20-18) trying to repeat last week’s 112-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (16-21) back in South Beach.
Since that win over L.A. at FTX Arena, Miami has gone on a 2-1 road trip West of the Mississippi, while Los Angeles has won back-to-back road tilts. Oddsmakers have Jimmy Butler and company as a -4.5 favorite for Wednesday’s Heat vs Lakers betting matchup.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
Miami is in the midst of a five-game road trip that ends on Friday in Phoenix. They started with a 124-119 loss at Denver but have since rebounded with a 128-123 victory in Utah and then beating the Clippers 110-100 on Monday. Not having to travel between the Clippers and Lakers games should help the Heat odds here.
The Lakers have won back-to-back road games as underdogs, topping Atlanta 130-121 and then beating the Hornets 121-115 on Monday. Los Angeles is still the third-worst team in the Western Conference but they can make up some ground as the L.A. Lakers schedule has them playing seven of the next nine games at home.
Miami Heat Performance Recap and Analysis
The Heat could have been a bit more rested for Wednesday’s game had they not blown a 21-point lead vs. the Clippers last time out and had to fight and claw for a 110-100 victory instead of cruising. That being said, it was a solid win to kick off the New Year, powered by 23 points from Tyler Herro and despite just nine from Butler.
Key Injuries
The only significant injury for Miami in the Heat vs Lakers betting matchup is Duncan Robinson, who played just five minutes vs. the Clippers with a hamstring issue. He missed all three of his shots from beyond the arc and is now 1-8 from downtown the last two games so maybe some time off would be a blessing.
Betting Trends to Know
The Heat have covered the number in four of their last five, and have gone 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road tilts. Miami has also had some success against the Lakers, covering the NBA odds and going 7-3 ATS in the last ten head-to-head meetings.
Los Angeles Lakers Performance Recap and Analysis
LeBron James played on his birthday against Atlanta on December 30th and then against Michael Jordan’s team the Hornets to kick off 2023. Those were two significant games for James, and he responded with a 47/10/9 line against the Hawks and followed that up with 43/11/6 against Charlotte. James had 27/9/6 against Miami a week ago but didn’t get a ton of help.
Key Injuries
He takes offense to the slang term “street clothes,” but Anthony Davis once again finds himself sidelined until the middle of the month, this time with a foot injury. L.A. is 4-5 in the nine games Davis has missed most recently.
Betting Trends to Know
There aren’t a ton of key trends around the Lakers for this matchup, but they are 1-4 ATS in their last five Wednesday games. Six of the last eight L.A. games have also gone ‘over’ the total.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds
The Heat were -8.5 point favorites against the Lakers a week ago in South Beach, but that number is down to -4.5 for Wednesday’s NBA schedule. Last week’s game went under the 226.5 total (112-98), and the number for the rematch is actually up to 229.5.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Picks
Moneyline: Heat -200
That’s not a horrible price on Miami, who should win this game. The Heat dominated the Clippers on Monday and now get to do the same at Crypto.com Arena again.
Over/Under: Over 229.5
This is a play simply on the number, as these teams met up last week in a game where they combined for 210 points, yet the O/U goes up three points for the rematch. The sportsbooks are trying to bait for the Heat vs Lakers betting total.
Spread: Heat -4.5
The Lakers had no answer for Bam Adebayo when the teams met up last week, with the Miami C scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Butler added 27 in that game as all five Heat starters scored in double figures. Miami is just the better team in this matchup.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Score Prediction
Miami 124 – Lakers 115
NBA Pick: Heat -4.5
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