Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Betting Pick & Prediction 12/4/24
The Miami Heat (-128) are favored by 2 points over the Los Angeles Lakers (+108) in this non-conference matchup. Miami is 7th in the Eastern Conference and 3rd in the Southeast Division, while Los Angeles is 9th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Pacific Division. The over/under line is 217.5 points and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 ET.
The Heat have lost two straight games and will look to get back on track at home. The Lakers are 12-9 on the season and have won three of their last four games.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS MIAMI HEAT BETTING PICK
The Pick: Miami Heat -2
This game will be played at Kaseya Center at 7:30 ET on Wednesday, December 4th.
WHY BET THE MIAMI HEAT:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 138-122 in favor of the Heat.
- Our projections have Tyler Herro finishing with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Heat finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.5% and knocking down 16 threes.
Can Los Angeles Stun the Crowd at Kaseya Center?
The Lakers fell to 12-9 on the season after a 109-80 road loss to the Timberwolves on Monday. Los Angeles entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 29 points. The combined score of 189 points was well below the O/U line of 219.5.
After a close 1st quarter, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 34-24 in the 2nd quarter. A 10-0 run by Minnesota in the 4th quarter put the game out of reach, as the Lakers were held to just 16 points in the final period.
The Lakers’ offense struggled in their 109-80 loss to the Timberwolves, shooting just 40.5% from the field and hitting only 6 threes at a 19.4% clip. D’Angelo Russell led the way with 20 points, connecting on 4 threes at 80% efficiency.
Anthony Davis added 12 points and 11 rebounds, but shot just 28.6% from the floor. Rui Hachimura contributed 10 points, hitting 80% of his shots.
Defensively, the Lakers had strong 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing 22 and 23 points, respectively, but struggled in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 34 and 30 points. Overall, they allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 50% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers gave up 15 three-pointers on 42% shooting. They sent the Timberwolves to the line 15 times, where they made 12 free throws. The Lakers recorded 8 steals and 2 blocks in the game.
Do the Heat Have a Shot at a Home Win?
Miami’s season record dropped to 9-10 after a 108-89 loss to the Celtics on Monday. The Heat were +9.5 point underdogs on the road but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 197, falling short of the 220.5 O/U line.
Boston took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Miami 32-20. The Heat entered the 4th quarter down 85-63 and won the final period 26-23, but it was too late to mount a comeback.
In Monday’s 108-89 loss to the Celtics, the Heat struggled offensively, shooting just 35.6% from the field and hitting only 8 threes at a 22.9% clip. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro each scored 19 points, with Herro adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists, despite shooting 31.6% and making just 2 of his 10 three-point attempts.
Jaquez also grabbed 10 rebounds and shot 35.7% from the floor. Bam Adebayo contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 33.3%. Herro scored 9 points in the 1st quarter, while Jaquez added 11 in the 2nd, and Adebayo put up 11 in the 4th.
Defensively, the Heat gave up 108 points to the Celtics, who shot 43% from the field. Miami allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 2nd but tightened up in the 3rd and 4th, giving up 25 and 23 points, respectively.
From beyond the arc, Boston hit 19 threes at a 34% clip. The Celtics also went 11/13 from the free-throw line. Miami grabbed 33 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards, while also recording 6 steals and 1 block.