Lakers vs Heat Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 12/4/24
- J.A. Cavalier
- Dec 4, 2024
- 3 min read
LA LAKERS @ MIAMI (MIA -2, 216.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
LAKERS @ HEAT 12/4/24
Despite what the NBA standings say, tonight’s matchup between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers should be a good one. Early struggles have seen both teams trying to find their way in the first half of the season. The Lakers are 12-9, placing them in the Western Conference's ninth spot right now. The Heat are 9-10 and slightly better positioned at No. 7 in the Eastern Conference.
It’s a new Lakers system this season under a new coach in J.J. Redick. LA is still trying out different player combinations and trying to identify how to win consistently. That has been tricky on the road. The Lakers are just 5-6 in road games compared to 7-3 at home.
Boasting an impressive 9.1 assists per game, LeBron James is second in scoring and rebounding. James will turn 40 later this month and has his eyes set on playing all 82 games this year. Anthony Davis takes center stage, leading the Lakers in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and steals. D'Angelo Russell has added a boost to the starting lineup, averaging 12.5 points per game.
Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht have emerged as the Lakers' top two three-point shooters. Hachimura shoots 43.1 percent from deep. Knecht is hitting 41.0 percent. Still, the Lakers have lost five of their last seven games.
On the other side, the Miami Heat too have had a turbulent start with fluctuating performances, staying never more than two games below or one game above .500 all season. The Heat may have to play without star forward Jimmy Butler, who is suffering from a nagging knee injury. But, Miami will have Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo tonight. Herro leads the team in scoring averaging 23.7 points per game. Adebayo scores 15.6 points a game and leads the Heat in rebounding with 9.8 boards per game.
The Lakers and Heat's face-off is also a callback to their captivating history. The Lakers prevailed over the Heat in the riveting 2020 NBA Finals under extraordinary circumstances, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, there are Miami's two championships, thanks to James' tenure between 2010 and 2014.
The Heat have won 4 of the last 5 and 7 of the last 10 against Los Angeles. Miami has also won each of the last four meetings in South Beach.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
LEBRON JAMES 20+ POINTS
The King hasn’t been all that kingly as of late. He’s actually gone Under 20 points in 5 of his last 6 games. He had 10 against Minnesota, a strong defensive team and 12 in a game with OKC. We know the Thunder is all about defense. Now, James returns to where he won two NBA titles. The climate is warmer, easier on the body. Plus, there’s no way the King keeps missing threes like he has been. 0-for-19 from three in his last four games. He’s not going 0-fer tonight. In his last five games against Miami, James has averaged 24.2 points.
