Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers: Miami Won Their Last Meeting With Los Angeles This Season

• The Miami Heat are currently on a two-game road trip as they enter this game!
• The Los Angeles Lakers are 12th in the West, having won their last two games.
• Miami won their last meeting with Los Angeles this season, 112-98.

Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Picks

The Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers face each other for the second time this season! Last time out the Heat won the match comfortably, 112-98. Miami have recently gone 5-5 over their last 10 games, but they are coming off of back-to-back wins. The Los Angeles Lakers are in the same boat, going 5-5 over their last 10 and winning their last two games.

Currently, the Miami Heat are seventh in the East with a 20-18 record and eyes on climbing back into the top six. The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves 12th in the Western Conference, owning a 16-21 record and four games out of the top six. Despite their similar form, these two teams have very different trajectories.

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Head-to-Head: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers

Injury Report

Spread: Miami Heat -3.5 (-110) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

The Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers face off for the second time this season. Miami are finally on a positive run of form and look to push their road record to 10-10 with a win over the Lakers. Los Angeles have been in a relatively positive run of form, but they continually struggle to gain ground in the standings - now sitting 12th in the West with a 16-21 overall record and an 8-8 home record.

The Lakers have found success through their recent five-game run due to their passing and efficiency from the field. They've averaged 118.6 points per game on 50.9% field goal efficiency, while also assisting on 27.0 field goals per game. The Miami Heat's recent success has come from their defensive ability. Over their last five games, they've gone 4-1, despite allowing their opponents to shoot 49.7% from the field and 44.3% from three - mostly due to the extra opportunities on offense generated by their 19.4 turnovers forced per game.

Los Angeles likes to play at a pace that gives them extra scoring opportunities to overcome their half-court deficiencies. However, Miami thrives in a slower-paced game where they can create turnovers and turn the match into a grind. The team that controls the pace will win this game, and all signs point to the quality and depth of the Miami Heat.

Total: Under 225.0 (-110) @ PointsBet

The Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers would usually combine to clear 225.0 total points on paper, but that may not be the case when they face off. Miami are coming off of back-to-back wins, with their defense being the main factor in their success. Los Angeles are opposite of them in that regard, finding their recent success off the back of their tremendous offensive pace.

On the season the Heat average 109.0 points per game (30th in the NBA), while allowing 109.4 points per game (3rd in the NBA). The Lakers own one of the league's more impressive scoring offenses as they average 116.1 points per game (7th in the NBA), despite allowing 117.6 points per game (27th in the NBA). In a true offense-defense matchup, these teams will be wrestling for control of the pace from tip-off.

Over the last three games, the Lakers and Heat have averaged 116.3 points and 118.0 points respectively. However, in their last meeting, they combined for just 200.0 points in a Heat victory. Take the under in this game, as the Heat's ability to control the pace against Los Angeles - who are now even more shorthanded - is already proven.

How to Watch Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers

• Who: Miami Heat & Los Angeles Lakers
• Where: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• When: 10:00 PM EST, Wednesday, January 4th, 2023
• How to Watch: ESPN, NBA League Pass (Stream)