The Miami Heat (20-18) wrap up a 6-game Western Conference road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers (20-17) Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Heat vs. Lakersodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Heat lead 1-0
Miami suffered a 109-98 loss at the LA Clippers Monday, just missing the cover as an 8.5-point underdog while the Under (216) cashed. The Heat slipped to 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 7 games, while the Under has cashed in 4 consecutive outings.
L.A. returned to action against the visiting San Antonio Spurs Monday after its previous game was postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. The Lakers were blasted 126-102 by the Spurs, dropping a third straight game as the Over (220.5) cashed for the second time in the span.
In a Dec. 4 meeting, Miami thumped L.A. 134-93, covering as a 3.5-point favorite with the Over (217) cashing in South Florida.
Heat at Lakers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Heat +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Lakers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Heat +5.5 (-115) | Lakers -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Heat at Lakers key injuries
Heat
- C Bam Adebayo (back) questionable
- F Jimmy Butler (suspension) out
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F Dorian Finney-Smith (personal) doubtful
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Heat at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 109, Heat 103
Moneyline
The Lakers (-225) will cost you more than double your return, and that’s way too much risk for a team on a 3-game slide.
It’s totally fair to think about this when wagering, but the Lakers have a lot on their minds, and you can’t blame them if they’re a bit distracted from what’s going on off the court in their home city.
PASS.
Against the spread
PLAY LAKERS -5.5 (-105) laying the points, but don’t get carried away.
The Lakers have been in a tailspin, and you’ll want to verify that both Davis and James are active before finalizing your betslip. If one or both are sidelined, all bets are off, literally.
Still, after backing Miami +5.5 (-115) last time out, and it totally folding in the second half against the Clippers, there is understandably a bit of a bad taste left in the mouth of Heat bettors.
Over/Under
UNDER 217.5 (-110) may be the best play, and this is where you have to hope that Davis or James have a seat, resting their respective ailments.
Even if Davis and James play, though, the Under has hit in 3 of the past 5 outings for L.A. For Miami, the Under has cashed in the past 4 stops on this trip, too.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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