Kick-off: 0000, 14/12/2019
Stadium: AmericanAirlines Arena
TV: Sky Sports
Miami will put their perfect home record to the test when hosting Western Conference leaders Los Angeles Lakers at the AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat have been imperious at this venue with their 11-0 record, but now come up against a formidable LA side who have only tasted one defeat on the road from 13 away matches.
We feel Miami have only bundled their way through victories in recent weeks and fancy the visitors to take the honours by 1-5 points at 4/1 for our first Heat vs Lakers prediction.
A Look At Miami Heat’s Betting Odds
The Heat remain perfect at home this season but have recently needed overtime in three of their last four victories, with a heavy defeat at the Boston Celtics coming in between.
A crazy 135-121 overtime triumph against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday evening came after they trailed by six points with 59.9 seconds left.
Star Jimmy Butler said after the comeback: “Everybody in this locker room has a confidence that they are the best player on the floor at any given time. Man, when you have got guys who think like that, nothing is ever over.”
It was a stats-heavy night in Miami, with Duncan Robinson tying the franchise record with 10 three-pointers in a career-high 34 points.
Kendrick Nunn hit a career-high 36 points – one off the rookie single-game record for the Heat – not to mention Butler and Bam Adebayo’s triple-doubles.
With Miami spreading the points throughout the team, Butler is right to be confident that his side can defeat anyone and that self-belief will be needed when they face the NBA’s statistically best defence.
Erik Spoelstra’s outfit average 112.0 points per game this campaign, but that improves to 118.8 at the AmericanAirlines Arena, so 17/20 for the hosts to bag over 103.5 is an easy second pick from the Heat vs Lakers odds.
A Look At Los Angeles Lakers’ Betting Odds
The Lakers have shown that they are living up to their pre-season tag as favourites for the NBA title after a defensive masterclass at the Orlando Magic last time out.
Speaking on the court after that 96-87 win, LeBron James said: “We are a composed group, no matter the circumstances, be it at home or on the road.
“To be able to calm your head in the fourth quarter, be able to execute and get stops, those are the ingredients for winning.
“It starts on the defensive end; we held a team to 87 on their home floor. When we don’t play well offensively – we didn’t tonight, we turned the ball over a lot – but we defend, we give ourselves a good chance.”
Despite being in his 17th season in the NBA, James continues to dominate the floor, as he guided Los Angeles to their 12th successive road win with his sixth triple double of the campaign.
The King scored 25 points and recorded 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis chipped in with a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double to maintain a successful start to his Lakers career.
Both are key to Los Angeles’ season, as LeBron targets a fourth championship title, and we believe that the 34-year-old James will be a major factor in a crucial match for these aspiring teams.
Bwin have a price boost of 13/5 for James to record 15 assists for the third time this term and that is the final selection for our Heat vs Lakers betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
HEAT 135-121 (OT) Atlanta
Orlando 87-96 LAKERS
Head-to-head: Lakers 95-80 Heat, Lakers 79-106 Heat, Lakers 108-105 Heat, Heat 97-113 Lakers
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