Lakers vs. Heat, 4/8/21 NBA Fantasy News & Betting Predictions

Lakers vs. Heat NBA Prediction

The Lakers will visit the Heat in the first game of Thursday night’s NBA double-header on TNT at 7:30 p.m. ET. Will the Lakers at least cover as an 8.5-point favorite or is there a better play on the board?

Game Snapshot

563 Los Angeles Lakers (+8.5) at 564 Miami Heat (-8.5); o/u 204.5

7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 8, 2021

Venue: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

TV: TNT

Los Angeles Lakers DFS Spin

Marc Gasol lost his spot in the Lakers' starting lineup after the signing of Andre Drummond but he still remains committed to the team. Gasol has been the team's temporary starter with Drummond sidelined, but Frank Vogel remained committed to the new signee despite Gasol's 13-point, 9-rebound, 5-assist, 4-block night on Tuesday. Initially, Gasol admitted the demotion to the bench was "a hard pill to swallow," but now he's changing pace. "I'll stay ready. I'm going to tell you this: I'm fully committed to the team," Gasol said, according to ESPN. "I'll stay ready when my number is called."

Miami Heat DFS Spin

Victor Oladipo hit 6-of-14 shots and a 3-pointer for 16 points, six rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of Tuesday's 124-112 loss to Memphis. He's been back for three straight games for the Heat and this was easily his best performance after scoring just six and eight points in the first two. The fragile Oladipo should be good to go against the Lakers on Thursday and Blazers on Sunday, but the Heat play at Phoenix on Tuesday and at Denver next Wednesday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit out one of those games.

Lakers vs. Heat Betting Prediction

The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams in Miami and 4-1 in the last five meetings overall. The under is also a perfect 4-0 in the Lakers’ last four games as an underdog, is 5-0 in their last five games coming off a win and is 21-6 in their last 27 road games. On the other side, the under is 9-4 in the Heat’s last 13 home games versus an opponent with a winning road record and has cashed in 19 of their last 26 games when facing an opponent with a winning record overall.

NBA BETTING PREDICTION: LAKERS/HEAT UNDER 204.5