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Lakers 8-5 ATS as Road Team This Season; Listed as 5.5 Point Favorite in Miami

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 3:17 PM PDT

Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler's Miami Heat host the league leading Lakers on South Beach tonight. By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC License]
  • The NBA-best 22-3 Lakers will travel to South Beach on Friday
  • The Heat are playing great basketball as of late at 18-6, which is second in the East
  • LA is 8-5 against the spread on the road this season

Two of the best teams in the NBA will clash on Friday in Miami as the Heat welcome LeBron and the red-hot Lakers to American Airlines Arena on Friday evening (tip-off 7 pm ET). The Lakeshow has won five straight contests and are 9-1 in their last ten games. They also have a very impressive 12-1 record away from Staples Center this year.

Jimmy Butler and the Heat, however, have yet to lose a game at home this season, going 11-0 in Miami. They’re 6-2 in their last eight contests, including a huge win over the defending NBA champions, the Toronto Raptors, on the road last week. With the Lakers in town and taking into account their overall dominance this season against all opponents, it’s definitely possible that AD and LeBron could be handing Erik Spoelstra’s team their first loss on home court.

By no surprise, the latest Lakers vs Heat odds favor Los Angeles at 5.5 points.

LA Lakers vs Miami Heat Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total Points
LA Lakers -5.5 (-116) N/A Ov 214 (-107)
Miami Heat +5.5 (-104) N/A Un 214 (-113)

Odds taken Dec 13th

Lakers Rolling This Year

LeBron and Anthony Davis have led the Lakers this season to the NBA’s best record at 22-3, tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.

Davis is leading the way for the Lakeshow, averaging 27.2 points per night, while LeBron isn’t far behind with 25.8. James has also been a wizard from a playmaking standpoint, dishing out an NBA-leading 10.8 dimes per contest.

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The Lakers are fundamentally sound on both ends of the court, ranking in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating. They’re also shooting the ball extremely well this year with a league-best 48.7 field goal percentage. LeBron and co. are taking a lot of high percentage shots as well, scoring 53.8 points per game in the paint, which is second in the league.

Miami Has Been a Pleasant Surprise

With the acquisition of Jimmy Butler in the offseason, it brought a sense of optimism to the Heat. Early on, that positivity surrounding the organization has been very evident as the team is second in the Eastern Conference right now at 18-6.

No one could have predicted they would get off to this torrid of a start, especially with the number of quality teams in the East.

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Butler has been the star as expected, leading the Heat with 20.9 points per game and an impressive seven assists per game as well. Former G-League standout Kendrick Nunn has been the biggest surprise for Miami, dropping 16.2 points per contest in his rookie season. Sharpshooter Tyler Herro has been outstanding as a first-year player as well, scoring 13.9 points on 38 percent shooting from downtown.

They’re fourth in the league in bench points per game, possessing a very solid second unit who can eat up minutes and put up numbers when their starters need rest. From Butler to three-point specialist Duncan Robinson, they are a very good shooting team, ranking in the top five in field goal and three-point percentage.

What’s the Best Bet?

I do believe that AD and LeBron will show out in South Beach on Friday, guiding the Lakers to their 23rd victory of the season and breaking Miami’s home winning streak. But taking into account how consistent both of these teams have been playing this year, it should be a close contest.

Rondo is a game-time decision for the Lakers, while Goran Dragic is out with a groin injury for Miami and Justise Winslow is also on the shelf with a back issue. Tyler Herro will be also questionable with an illness.

Despite the injuries, it looks to be an entertaining matchup at American Airlines Arena, with Los Angeles coming out victorious.

Pick: Lakers -5.5 (-116)

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