Sunday, October 6, 2020, AdventHealth Arena, Kissimmee, Fla., 9 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat Betting Preview: Lakers (-7.5/-106), Heat (+7.5/-114)
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were outplayed in Game 3 and committed 20 turnovers while losing their first game of the NBA Finals. They now are in the position to where they can re-establish their path to their first title in 10 years with a victory or be in a tied series and facing a best-of-three scenario if they lose.
Los Angeles didn’t play with its typical intensity in Game 3 and its 10 first-quarter turnovers set the stage for the eventual 115-104 loss. LeBron James (eight turnovers) and Anthony Davis (five) will try to put their sloppy performances aside and get the Lakers back on track.
Davis had just 15 points and five rebounds in Game 3 after averaging 33 and 11.5, respectively, over the first two games. James is averaging 27.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists and will look get back to take good care of the ball as he did when he had just two total turnovers over the first two games.
The Lakers’ bench outscored their starters 53-51 and there is both good and bad to that factoid. As nice as it was to receive 19 points from both Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris — the top output for both this postseason — but it also displayed that the other three starters aren’t providing enough offense to make up for the slack when James (25) and Davis combine for a lower than customary total (40).
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler put on a show in Game 3 with 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to join Jerry West and James as the only players to record a 40-point triple double in NBA Finals history. Butler was a stellar 14-of-20 shooting to set the tone for a victory that got Miami back in the series and the Heat can really shake things up with another win that ties the series.
Standout big man Bam Adebayo (neck) is listed as questionable for Game 4 after missing the previous two games and his presence would provide a substantial lift. However, point guard Goran Dragic (foot) remains doubtful and will likely sit out his third straight game.
Tyler Herro will again be counted on to pick up some of the missing scoring punch while Kelly Olynyk has responded with averages of 20.5 and 8.0 rebounds over the past two games while filling in for Adebayo.
Miami’s depth has proved beneficial with two starters sidelined but the club’s best chance to make a run at winning the Finals revolves around Adebayo returning and playing like his All-Star form. Otherwise, big performances from Butler (29.3 points, 10.3 assists, 7.0 rebounds) and an explosion from Herro (16.0 average in the series) might be necessary.
Lakers at Heat Betting Pick for Game 4
The Heat have confidence after their Game 3 win and Butler is up for the task of carrying the injury ravaged lineup. The Lakers were dealt a dose of disappointment with their setback that included a dejected James walking off the court in the final seconds. Look for Davis to get off to a fast start to set aside his shaky Game 3 effort and the Lakers to hold off Miami down the stretch.
Lakers at Heat Betting Pick:
Lakers 112, Heat 108
Lakers at Heat Betting Pick for Game 4
Los Angeles’ bench effort could have a carryover in Game 4 as coach Frank Vogel is sure to break down ways to make up for the lack of scoring from part of the starting lineup.
If Kuzma or Morris can approach their 19-point effort, the Lakers’ offense will be more explosive. Butler will be intent on putting a lot of basketballs through the net once again.
Lakers at Heat at Best Bet: OVER 219 (-110)
