NBA Finals: Shorthanded Heat No Match For Lakers In Game 2

The Miami Heat rode an incredible hot streak to an unlikely spot in the NBA Finals – but they're going to need to pull off their biggest surprise yet if they hope to get back into the series. The Heat dropped a 116-98 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1, and are enormous underdogs for Friday's Game 2 as they face the likelihood of being without a pair of key starters.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

This line has skyrocketed since Sportsbook at -4.5, with the Miami injury news pushing the Lakers all the way to -9.5 in most spots. The total has also seen movement, dropping from 218 down to 216.5.

Miami News & Notes

Miami had enjoyed tremendous success through the first three rounds, losing just three games while going 12-3 ATS along the way. Good health had played a major role in that run – but their luck ran out in Game 1 on Wednesday night, as they saw both big man Bam Adebayo (neck strain) and point guard Goran Dragic (torn plantar fascia) lost in the one-sided defeat.

Both Adebayo and Dragic are considered doubtful, and if they can't go, it will leave the Heat scrambling to replace their offensive production. They have combined to average 37.7 points during Miami's incredible playoff run – and if they're out, you can expect Jimmy Butler to go ham. Look at the OVER on any of Butler's props (points and rebounds in particular) for Game 2.

LA Lakers News & Notes

The Lakers made life miserable for Miami's long-range shooters, holding them to a 31.4-percent success rate. And if the Heat can't outshoot Los Angeles from deep, they have no chance of keeping pace; the Lakers have been one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the playoffs but connected at nearly 40 percent from long range in their emphatic victory.

So where is the prop value heading into Game 2? Your best bet is probably with either LeBron James or Anthony Davis, both of whom can go off at any point. We recommend the Over on Davis's rebound prop; with Adebayo likely out of action, the Heat don't really have anyone capable of keeping Davis off the boards while at the same time providing capable defense.

Betting Pick: Lakers -9.5 (-110)

Assuming Adebayo and Dragic are out, there's little chance Miami can keep pace with a superior Lakers team, either in Game 2 or for the remainder of the series.