Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview And Expert Tip: Best Value Pick for Two Sides with Similar Fortunes

The Miami Heat are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers at Kaseya Center in the early hours of Tuesday. Both teams are in good form to start the season but the Miami Heat are coming off a win against the Wizards on Friday. Can the Heat continue their bounc back or will the Lakers grab their 4th win of the new NBA season?

Our basketball expert Agbeniga Ayobami has her pick for the night, and if you are looking for more free NBA picks, visit our Expert Insights section.

In this article:

• Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Expert Tip
• Miami Heat Stats & Form
• Los Angeles Lakers Stats & Form
• Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers H2H

Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Expert Tip

• Expert tip: Los Angeles Lakers Moneyline
• Best odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: Bet365
• Stakes: 5/10

Both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers have had a somewhat lacklustre start to the season, despite high expectations. In this game, the Lakers might find added motivation when facing a strong opponent like the Heat. It seems that the Lakers tend to perform better against formidable rivals, often underestimating teams where they are expected to win comfortably.

Additionally, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have shown good form early in the season, consistently delivering strong performances. However, the production from their teammates has been inconsistent, especially Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, who have yet to reach their full potential. Russell’s recent performance, where he made only 4/17 field goal attempts, highlights their early-season struggles, and we expect these guys to get back on track.

On the other hand, the Heat have faced challenges in defending against three-point shooting, and their overall field goal defence has been a concern. The Lakers, known for getting to the free-throw line frequently and excelling in the paint, should have the tools to get the job done in this game.

Miami Heat Stats & Form

The Miami Heat have experienced an inconsistent start to the season, winning only two of their six games. Their most recent victory came against the Washington Wizards, ending a four-game losing streak.

In that game, the Heat secured a 121-114 win, displaying an impressive shooting performance. Miami shot at a remarkable 60.0% from the field and 48.1% from beyond the arc, connecting on 13 of 27 three-point attempts. They also excelled at the free-throw line, making 12 of 14 free throws (85.7%). The Heat’s strong offensive performance was led by Tyler Herro, who scored 24 points and contributed 9 assists. He displayed efficient shooting, making 9 of 17 field goals and grabbing 10 rebounds.

On the season, the Heat are committing an average of 17.3 fouls per game and shooting 80.9% from the free-throw line. They also average 25.7 assists per game and turn the ball over 14.7 times per game. Miami has scored a total of 644 points so far this season, averaging 107.3 points per game and collecting an average of 43.0 rebounds per contest.

Defensively, the Heat currently rank 16th in the league, allowing 112.0 points per game. They excel at forcing turnovers, with an average of 16.8 per game, but they allow opponents to shoot at a high percentage from the field (49.1%). Miami’s defense struggles against three-point shooting, as opponents shoot at a rate of 38.8% from beyond the arc. Additionally, they allow opponents to make 67.8% of their free throws. The Heat allow an average of 27.0 assists and 46.3 rebounds per game.

Caleb Martin is unavailable for the Miami Heat due to a knee injury.

Los Angeles Lakers Stats & Form

The Los Angeles Lakers have experienced a somewhat underwhelming start to the new NBA season, holding a 3-3 record after six games. In their most recent game, they suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic, where they found themselves in an early deficit, trailing by 14 points. The Lakers’ shooting performance in that game was subpar, with a 44% field goal percentage and a disappointing 26% from beyond the three-point line.

The Lakers are currently averaging 111.8 points per game, placing them in the middle of the league. They have struggled to consistently surpass this point threshold, winning three out of their last five games. When their offense is clicking, their defense has shown the ability to slow down their opponents, contributing to their victories.

Los Angeles excels in specific offensive aspects, particularly in the paint and in transition. They score nearly 54 points per game in the paint, ranking 7th in the NBA. Additionally, they’ve been effective in transition, putting up nearly 16 points per game, placing them around the top 10 in the league. However, the Lakers have encountered difficulties when it comes to offensive rebounds, ranking 29th in the league. They also struggle with three-point shooting, and their current shooting from beyond the arc is near the bottom of the league.

On the defensive end, the Lakers have been below par, conceding an average of 115.7 points per game, placing them in the bottom 10 in the NBA. This is a significant departure from their reputation as a strong defensive team in previous years. The Lakers have been inconsistent in stifling opposing offenses this season, allowing over 120 points in two consecutive games. However, they excel in defending two-point shots, ranking in the top 10 in opponent two-point shooting.

In terms of injuries, Rui Hachimura is unavailable due to an eye injury, and Jarred Vanderbilt is dealing with foot problems. Taurean Prince and Gabe Vincent are questionable for the upcoming game. The Lakers will need to overcome these challenges and put forth a strong team effort on both ends of the court in their upcoming matchup against the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers H2H

In the regular season, the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers have faced each other 70 times, with the Heat winning 31 games and the Lakers winning 39. Last season, they met twice, with each team winning one game at home.