Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and predictions

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

The Miami Heat (19-14) and Los Angeles Lakers (17-17) meet Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Heat vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Miami leads 1-0

The Heat opened a 5-game road trip Thursday with a 114-102 win against the Golden State Warriors as 6.5-point underdogs as the Under (232) cashed. However, Miami has lost and failed to cover the past 2 games at the Utah Jazz and against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Under is a perfect 3-0 on the road trip so far.

The Lakers are looking to avenge a 108-107 loss in Miami back on Nov. 6. L.A. was a 1.5-point underdog, and the Under (223) hit. Los Angeles has struggled mightily since winning the In-Season Tournament (IST), winning just twice in the past 9 games. The Lakers are also just 4-7 against the spread (ATS) in 11 games since winning the IST.

Heat at Lakers odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Heat +194 (bet $100 to win $194) | Lakers -235 (bet $235 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Heat +6 (-110) | Lakers -6 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Heat at Lakers key injuries

Heat

F Jimmy Butler (foot) out
F Caleb Martin (ankle) doubtful
G Josh Richardson (back) questionable

Lakers

F Anthony Davis (ankle) probable
F Rui Hachimura (calf) out
F LeBron James (illness) questionable
F Cam Reddish (groin) probable
G D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) out
G Gabe Vincent (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Heat at Lakers picks and predictions

Prediction

Lakers 117, Heat 106

Moneyline

The Lakers (-235) will cost you almost 2½ times your potential return, and that's quite expensive. There is just no value betting heavy favorites like that. It's a losing betting strategy over the long term.

However, the Heat (+194) can't be trusted, either. Miami has lost and failed to cover the past 2 games, and it will have to play this game without Jimmy Buckets, who is sidelined with a foot ailment.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

The LAKERS -6 (-110) are a strong play at home, but just circle back around and double-check LeBron is active and won't sit due to illness. He carries a questionable tag, and it likely won't be known until 90 minutes before tip if he'll be able to go or not.

The Heat +6 (-110) have failed to cover 3 times in the past 4 tries against Western Conference teams, and it will be an uphill climb Wednesday without Butler on the floor.

Over/Under

UNDER 228.5 (-110) may be the best play on the board with Butler sidelined. It would be an even better wager if LeBron is held out due to illness.

The Heat have averaged just 113.0 points per game (PPG) to rank 22nd in the NBA, and the defense is solid with just 112.0 PPG allowed.

For the Lakers, the offense and the defense are rather mediocre. L.A. ranks 17th with 114.2 PPG while checking in 20th in the league with a 35.7% mark from behind the 3-point line.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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