Skip to main content

Heat vs Lakers NBA Finals Game 2 Odds and Picks

  • Lakers blast Miami in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
  • The Heat got dinged up in the opener, which could affect this series
  • Read below for odds, analysis and our Game 2 prediction

It was a Game 1 demolition in the NBA Finals, as the LA Lakers crushed the Miami Heat.

Miami not only needs to regroup, but get some good news on the health front, as no less than three key players were injured in the opener.

With that in mind, the Heat vs Lakers odds show there’s some major confidence in the Purple and Gold getting it done on Friday night.

Heat vs Lakers Game 2 Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Miami Heat +8 (-110) +275 O 216 (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers -8 (-110) -340 U 216 (-110)

Odds from FanDuel taken September 30. Game 2 tip-off is Friday at 9pm

Davis, Lakers Overwhelm Heat

It was an impressive Lakers effort on almost every front in a 116-98 win. Offensively, Anthony Davis was a dynamo, pouring in a game-high 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks. AD was relentless in the paint, consistently battling inside and wearing out the Heat frontline. He earned every one of his 10 free throw attempts, making them all.

LeBron James played the perfect wingman, chipping in with 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine dimes. It was James’ 50th Finals game.

The Lakers’ bench was a major factor, particularly early on, when LA was down 13 in the first quarter. Kyle Kuzma, Rajon Rondo, Alex Caruso and Markieff Morris all made key shots and plays to help the team gain their footing.

That 13-point deficit? It was wiped out by an eventual 75-30 run that lasted into the third quarter, putting this game into extended garbage time.

And of course, that defense. Los Angeles limited the Heat to just 31.4% shooting from behind the arc and 42.7% from the field. And that super-sized lineup again owned the glass, outrebounding the Heat 54-36.

Miami Limping Into Game 2

The injuries came fast and furious for the Heat, and even if they weren’t competitive in this one, they could be challenged to break 100 points a game this series if their best players are in any way limited.

All-star Jimmy Butler suffered a sprained ankle, which had him noticeably limping. While Butler was able to continue, he again rolled the ankle in the fourth quarter when he stepped on Davis’ foot on a drive.

Goran Dragic — the Heat’s leading scorer in the playoffs — left the game with a non-contact foot injury. He was forced to leave and did not return. While the Miami staff had no further updates to his status, the ESPN broadcast said he was seen limping heavily.

And all-star Bam Adebayo suffered a left shoulder strain in the third quarter. He was forced to the locker room and did not return. As the primary big on a roster short on frontcourt size, it was already going to be a challenge dealing with the Lakers’ big men with Adebayo. It will be disaster if he’s forced to miss any time.

The Heat’s trademark ability to grind and keep games close never had a chance to materialize, as LA dismantled their defense. The Lakers were 15-for-38 from three-point range, an impressive 39.5% clip. LA’s ability to attack Miami’s defense also resulted in a 27-14 free throw advantage for the Lakers.

Only an extended garbage time run made the score even close to respectable, as Miami at one point trailed by as many as 32.

What’s the Best Bet?

Miami’s defense will have to take away something (anything, really) to have a chance at evening this series.

We’ll learn more tomorrow about their injuries, but losing any one of their three players will be tough to recover from. This is the first time the Heat have trailed in the playoffs, which will give us the first look at how Erik Spoelstra plans to make adjustments.

Does he beef up the frontcourt and throw out Kelly Olynyk with Adebayo? Does Meyers Leonard crack the lineup?

Expect the Heat to be better prepared next time out, but I’d lean towards LeBron and AD continuing to be the best players in this series. While their team shooting may regress to the mean, LA’s dynamic duo will still be able to elevate their games. Coupled with LA’s overall size advantage, the Lakers present matchup problems no one in these playoffs has yet been able to solve.

The pick: Lakers -8 (-110)

The post Heat vs Lakers NBA Finals Game 2 Odds and Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.



from Sports Betting Dime https://ift.tt/3496WSy
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Players Championship Odds, Predictions, and Best Picks 2025

The Players Championship tees off Thursday, March 13th, 2025 Scottie Scheffler is the heavy +360 favorite to win this tournament for the third straight year See the 2025 Players Championship odds, picks, and best value bets below After Russell Henley won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the PGA Tour’s best head to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for the “fifth major” – the Players Championship. It’s the crown jewel on the schedule, and the field is stacked as it tackles the quirky and confounding TPC Sawgrass, with Scottie Scheffler searching for a record third straight title at this tournament. 48 of the top 50 golfers in the world will be teeing it up (not Bryson DeChambeau or Tyrrell Hatton). The Players Championship Odds 2025 Golfers Odds Scottie Scheffler +360 Rory McIlroy +800 Collin Morikawa +1600 Xander Schauffele +1600 Ludvig Aberg +2000 Justin Thomas +2000 Hideki Matsuyama +2800 Tommy Fleetwood +3000 Patrick Cantlay +3...
Post a Comment
Read more

Early Indiana vs Notre Dame Prediction, Pick & Odds for CFP Playoffs Round 1

We’ve made our early Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction for the College Football Playoff first round The latest CFP odds favor the Fighting Irish by over a touchdown at home Read below for our Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction, picks, and odds The College Football Playoff kicks off with a blockbuster matchup between in-state foes, as the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) travel to South Bend to take on the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). The Irish are laying 7.5 points at home in this one, with the total sitting at 50.5 points. This marks the first-ever meeting between these programs in the playoff, adding even more intrigue to what was already shaping up as one of the most compelling first-round clashes. The Fighting Irish are looking to reestablish themselves as a national powerhouse, while the Hoosiers are out to prove their magical season is no fluke. Oddsmakers are siding with the Irish, but the sharp money is going the other way… Indiana vs Notre Dame Odds ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SMU vs Houston Odds and Picks

#6 Houston is a 10-point home favorite over SMU on Sunday (Jan. 31st, 1 pm EST) The Cougars have won seven straight and beat the Mustangs by 14 in their first meeting See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction This Sunday will be the first since Labour Day weekend without NFL games to sweat. But never fear, college hoops has you covered with an AAC matchup between SMU and #6 Houston starting at 1 pm EST. The Cougars (14-1, 9-1 AAC) have won seven straight, while the Mustangs (9-3, 5-3 AAC) salvaged a split in their home and home series with Memphis last time out. SMU vs #6 Houston Odds Team Spread Moneyline Total SMU Mustangs +10 (-110) OFF Over 139 (-110) Houston Cougars -10 (-110) OFF Under 139 (-110) Odds taken Jan. 30th. Houston opened up as a 10-point favorite , in a game that features a total of 139. The Cougars are fresh off a 23-point win over Tulane in their last contest, dominating the Green Wave despite missing leading scorer Que...
Post a Comment
Read more