A western road trip has the Miami Heat (19-14) heading over to play the Los Angeles Lakers (17-17) on Wednesday. Los Angeles owns a 39-32 all-time record over the Heat. Miami is looking to sweep the season series for the first time since the 2020-21 season as on Nov. 6, Miami knocked off the Lakers 108-107. D’Angelo Russell (tailbone) is out for Los Angeles, while LeBron James (illness) is questionable. Jimmy Butler (foot) is out for Miami, with Caleb Martin (ankle) doubtful and Josh Richardson (back) questionable.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers are the 5.5-point favorites in the latest Heat vs. Lakers odds per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 228.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Heat picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 11 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 106-59 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning well over $4,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Heat and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Heat vs. Lakers:
Lakers vs. Heat spread: Los Angeles -5.5
Lakers vs. Heat over/under: 228.5 points
Lakers vs. Heat money line: Los Angeles -225, Miami +184
MIA: Miami is 15-18 against the spread this season
LAL: L.A. hit the game total Under in 32 of its last 48 home games
Lakers vs. Heat picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Lakers can cover
Guard Austin Reaves is an all-around offensive threat. Reaves gives Los Angeles an aware ball handler and scorer in the backcourt. The Oklahoma product comes off the bench with an aggressive mindset, averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 boards, and 4.9 assists per game. In his previous outing, Reaves put up 20 points and nine assists.
Forward Taurean Prince gives the Lakers a reliable two-way option. Prince can knock down jumpers on the outside consistently and be a sound defender against opposing small/power forwards. He logs 10.1 points and shoots 40% from beyond the arc. Prince finished with at least 14 points in five of the last 10 games. See which team to pick here.
Why the Heat can cover
Guard Tyler Herro has the skillset to light up the scoreboard. Herro can space the floor with ease and has the shooting stroke to score off the dribble. The 23-year-old logs 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He’s dropped 25-plus points in five of his last seven matchups. Herro scored 26 points and seven boards in the Dec. 28 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Center Bam Adebayo provides the Heat with an athletic two-way big man. Adebayo can handle the rock, defend any position from three to five, and is a powerful finisher around the rim. The 26-year-old averages 22 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest. On New Year’s Day against the Clippers, he racked up a double-double of 21 points, 15 boards and four assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make Heat vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting 222 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.