Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/15/25
The Miami Heat (+165) travel to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (-198) in a non-conference matchup. The Lakers (-4.5) are favored and have lost three straight games. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 ET at Crypto.com Arena.
The Heat (20-18) are 7th in the East and 2nd in the Southeast Division. The Lakers (20-17) are 7th in the West and 2nd in the Pacific Division. The over/under line for this game is 217.5 points. SN-LA will televise the game.
MIAMI HEAT VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 10:00 ET on Wednesday, January 15th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 125-111 in favor of the Lakers.
- Our projections have Anthony Davis finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists.
- From the field, we have the Lakers finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.0% and knocking down 13 threes.
Can Miami Lock in a Road Win?
Miami dropped to 20-18 on the season following a 109-98 road loss to the Clippers on Monday. The Heat, who were +8.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 11 points. The game’s total of 207 points fell short of the 216.5-point over/under line.
Miami started strong, leading 35-28 after the 1st quarter, but managed just 13 points in the 2nd. The Clippers went on an 11-0 run, turning a 59-54 lead into 65-59, and outscored the Heat 36-20 in the 3rd quarter. Miami couldn’t close the gap in the 4th, as both teams scored 30 points in the final period.
In Monday’s loss to the Clippers, the Heat managed just 98 points, shooting 38.8% from the field. Their three-point shooting was below average at 32.7%, but they hit 17 threes overall.
Tyler Herro led Miami with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, scoring 12 points in the 1st quarter and 9 more in the 4th. Kel’el Ware added 19 points and 13 rebounds, with 13 of his points coming in the final period.
The Heat put together a strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, holding the Clippers to just 15 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 36 points. Overall, Miami gave up 109 points on 48% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Heat allowed 13 made threes on 36% shooting. They sent the Clippers to the free-throw line 10 times, where they made 6. Miami finished with 40 defensive rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals.
Will the Lakers Defense Show Up at Home?
The Lakers fell to 20-17 on the season after a 126-102 home loss to the Spurs on Monday. Los Angeles, favored by 4 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 228 went over the 220.5-point line.
After leading 62-53 at halftime, the Lakers allowed the Spurs to go on a 10-0 run, stretching the score from 84-76 to 94-76. Los Angeles managed only 13 points in the 4th quarter while San Antonio scored 37.
In their 126-102 loss to the Spurs, the Lakers shot 44.8% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range, hitting 14 threes overall. Anthony Davis led the way with 30 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 72.2% from the field and making 2 threes at 40%.
LeBron James added 18 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds, hitting 66.7% of his threes, while Austin Reaves contributed 12 points and 8 assists despite shooting just 30.8% from the field and 28.6% from deep.
The Lakers’ defense struggled in the 3rd and 4th quarters, giving up 36 and 37 points, respectively, in a 126-102 loss to the Spurs. Overall, they allowed San Antonio to shoot 53% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Spurs hit 13 threes at a 37% clip. The Lakers sent them to the line 20 times, where they made 17 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.