9:05 pm
October 9

Heat v. Lakers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Miami Heat

Los Angeles Lakers

 

Current odds:

Miami Heat: (+280)

Los Angeles Lakers: (-340)

 

• The line for this game is Lakers by 7.5 points.

• Anthony Davis is one win away from his first NBA title. He believes execution will be the key if the Los Angeles Lakers expect to capture their first championship in a decade when they face the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Finals on Friday near Orlando. The Lakers will shoot for their first title since 2010, when they defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games. They also will be gunning for their 17th title, which would tie them with the Celtics for most in the NBA. In Game 4, LeBron James had 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Lakers converted buckets down the stretch to hold off the pesky Heat. Davis’ 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds remaining sealed the win.

• Davis, who finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, also came up big on the defensive end with four blocks. Offensively, Davis is shooting 61 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent on 3-pointers in the series. He has converted all 17 of his free throws in the Finals despite inconsistent stretches in the past two games.

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had 15 points, nailed a 3-pointer and scored on a drive to deliver clutch points late for Los Angeles in Game 4.

• Jimmy Butler had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Heat. Tyler Herro contributed 21 points and seven boards, while Bam Adebayo, who returned after missing two games with a neck injury, added 15 points and seven rebounds.

• Despite the hole they are in, Butler believes the Heat are capable of rallying. “We just got to lock in on us knowing that we can control a lot of these things,” Butler said. “But our confidence ain’t going nowhere. It’s going to stay high. I’m going to make sure that it stays high because it’s going to have to be at an all-time to get this next win.”

• Heat guard Goran Dragic, who has been out since Game 1 with torn plantar fascia in his left foot, was listed as doubtful for Game 5.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Los Angeles Lakers
Previous Pick
Next Pick