Lakers vs. Heat Prediction
Can the Los Angeles Lakers go on the road and pick up a big win over the Miami Heat when LeBron James faces his former team tonight at 7PM ET?
539 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 540 Miami Heat
Friday, December 13, 2019
7PM ET – AmericanAirlines Arena
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Los Angeles is favored on the road, as the Lakers are getting odds of -5 points against the Heat. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 214 points. The public betting currently is unavailable right now. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Lakers keep cruising
Since a 14-point loss at home to Dallas on Dec. 1, the Lakers have won and covered the spread in five straight games. Their latest win was 96-87 at Orlando on Wednesday night. The Lakers are 22-3 on the season, 12-1 on the road, 16-9 against the spread and 14-11 with the under.
The Lakers are putting up 113.8 points per game on offense this year while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from the arc. Los Angeles is allowing just 103.9 points per game while opponents shoot 43.6 percent against them. Anthony Davis is leading the way with 27.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while LeBron James is adding 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 10.8 assists per contest.
Heat grinding out wins
Miami is coming off a 135-121 OT win over Atlanta at home on Tuesday night for a third straight victory. The Heat have went to overtime in three of their last five games. Miami is 18-6 on the year, 11-0 at home, 15-8-1 against the spread and 12-11-1 with the over.
The Heat are putting up 112 points per game on offense this year, shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from the arc. Defensively, Miami is giving up 106.2 points per game while opponents shoot 43.7 percent against them. The Heat are short-handed right now as Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow are both out with injuries while Tyler Herro is questionable due to illness. Those three all average over 12 points per game. Jimmy Butler is leading the team with 20.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Lakers have covered the spread in four straight road games and in four of their last five as a favorite.
Miami
The Heat are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 Friday games and just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a win.
Prediction:
The Lakers own a 95-80 win over Miami at home already this season. Los Angeles definitely looks to be the better team, but Miami has done a nice job of raising its level in big games. However, the Heat look to be a little too banged up for my liking tonight. They are without a lot of scoring tonight and they will need it against the Lakers. LeBron is doing a great job of creating offense and finally has a dominant big man to work with. I just don’t see Miami being able to stop Davis or keep up the scoring pace with the Lakers.
NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -5