Two powers will meet on the hardwood on Thursday night as the Miami Heat host the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA betting matchup.
The Heat are riding a three-game winning streak against the Lakers into Thursday's meeting, although the teams have split their last 10 matchups 5-5. Miami went 8-2 ATS over those last 10 contests.
View LA Lakers vs Miami Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Heat - Lakers odds would favor the Lakers if the lines were set according to power ranks. Miami is rated No. 9 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Lakers sit at No. 2. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 105-101 win for the Heat.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Miami's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 107.2 PPG, against a Lakers defense that ranks No. 5 at 89.4 PPG. The Heat field goal percentage has averaged 49.4% so far, more than the Lakers shooters have achieved on the year, 45.7% per game.
Defensively, the Lakers feature the league's No. 19-rated defense on the road, allowing 99 points per game. Miami, meanwhile, comes in at No. 1 in the league in scoring at home.
In their last action, Los Angeles was a 73-70 Sportsbook at home against the Mavericks. They failed to cover the 4-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (143) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Andrew Bynum scored 17 points leading the Lakers to a 73-70 victory over Dallas at STAPLES Center on Monday.
Last time out for Miami, they were a 120-98 Sportsbook as they battled the Spurs at home. The Heat covered in the match as a 7-point favorite, while 218 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. San Antonio was run off the court by the Heat on Tuesday as Miami blasted the Spurs 120-98 at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Orlando are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After playing San Antonio are 2-8
After a win are 6-4
A few Lakers at Heat trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 13 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games
Miami is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Miami is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers at Orlando, Friday, January 20
Miami home to Philadelphia, Saturday, January 21
