Game 2 Predictions & Odds: Heat vs. Lakers

• October 1, 2020
• By Michael Crosson
• VegasInsider.com

Now just three wins away from securing his first ever championship ring, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers will square off for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat at the HP Field House in Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando.

Betting Resources

• Matchup: NBA Finals Game 2
• Series: Lakers lead 1-0
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2020
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

The Lakers blasted the Heat 116-98 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, dominating the game in wire-to-wire fashion. (AP)

Game 2 Betting Odds - Heat vs. Lakers

Line Movements

Following their 116-98 rout of Eric Spoelstra’s team in Game 1, the Lakers are getting a slight bump on the spread heading into the second contest of this series – setting the line for Friday night’s tilt at Los Angeles -7.5.

‘Under’ bettors were the victors in the first game of these NBA Finals as Miami and Los Angeles combined for just 214 points on Wednesday night. The ‘over-under’ for Game 2 sits in the same ballpark as Game 1’s final total – OU 216.

• Spread: Los Angeles -8
• Money-Line: Los Angeles -360 Miami +285
• Total: 216
• Updated Series Price: Los Angeles -1200, Miami +750

Game 1 Recap

The Heat jumped out to an early lead in the opening stanza of Wednesday night’s contest, but that was short lived as the Lakers were able to secure a 31-28 lead before the final horn of the period, and never looked back.

The first game of these Finals was pretty much over at halftime, as the Lakers set a franchise record for most 3-point field goals made in the first half of a post-season contest by drilling 11 longballs in the opening two stanzas of Wednesday’s matchup, and gained a 65-48 lead at the break.

Miami started the game sitting back in a 2-3 zone similarly to how they prepared for Boston, daring Los Angeles to beat them from deep, but Frank Vogel’s team executed a drive-and-kick game plan flawlessly in Game 1 as his team scored a combined 70 points on Wednesday night from strictly 3-point land and the foul line.

Bam Adebayo was expected to give Davis some trouble down low on the defensive side of the ball, but that was far from the case in Game 1, as Bam exited the game with a neck injury, leaving Davis to dominate the contest with 34 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks over 38 minutes in the Lakers’ win.

Game 1 Betting Results

Outcome: Lakers 116 Heat 98

After watching the Heat jump out to a 28-18 first quarter lead on the Lakers with three minutes remaining, Los Angeles closed on a 13-0 run and that effort not only helped the "Purple and Gold" carry the momentum into the final three quarters.

The Lakers covered for bettors in the first quarter, first-half and the game, plus they picked up a second-half ticket as a short 'dog too. The Heat's inabilty to score in the second and third quarters (39 combined points) hurt bettors who took the 'over' in the first-half and the second-half too.

• Game: Lakers Win, Lakers Cover (-4.5), Under 217.5
• First Quarter: Lakers Win (31-28), Lakers Cover (-2), Over 56
• First-Half: Lakers Win (63-48), Lakers Cover (-3), Under 111.5
• Second-Half: Lakers Win (51-50), Lakers Cover (+2.5), Under 105.5

Heat vs. Lakers
How to Handicap Game 2

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Miami Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Bubble: 15-9 SU, 15-9 ATS, 12-11-1 O/U
• Playoffs: 12-4 SU, 12-4 ATS, 8-8 O/U

Miami got blown out in the first game of this series, but if you have paid attention to the Heat this season, then you know this is one of the most resilient bunches in the NBA and they are going to come back re-energized, with a brand new scheme to attack the Lakers with on Friday night.

The Heat will likely be without Adebayo in this game, so even if the zone concept worked in Game 1, they would likely have to switch up their defensive strategy after losing the heartbeat of their defense.

Although his team did not show up, Jimmy Buckets was still great for the Heat on Wednesday night – Butler going for 23 points and 5 assists on 61% shooting for the game. He may need to take matters into his own hands in Game 2 considering the names listed on Friday’s injury report if Miami wants a chance at evening up this series.

Los Angeles Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Bubble: 16-8 SU, 11-12-1 ATS, 11-13 O/U
• Playoffs: 13-3 SU, 10-5-1 ATS, 7-9 O/U

Following Los Angeles’ blowout victory in Game 1 of these NBA Finals, the oddsmakers have shifted the Lakers from -380 favorites, to -1200 favorites heading into the second game of this series.

The Lakers are typically streaky from deep and they still were in this contest, but it was plenty to knock off the Heat in this game once they became ravaged by injury in the early goings of this one.

LeBron James nearly recorded another triple-double to open this year’s Finals by tallying 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists across 36 minutes in Game 1.

Los Angeles is now 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games and will look to keep that pace going with another win on Friday night.

Key Injuries

Miami

• PG Goran Dragic: Foot - Doubtful
• PF Bam Adebayo: Shoulder - Doubtful
• PF Jimmy Butler: Ankle - Probable

Los Angeles

• None

Along with Adebayo’s potential absence, Goran Dragic is listed as a game time decision as well with torn plantar fascia in his last foot. The diagnosis does not necessarily rule him 'out' for Game 2, but the injury commonly gives players discomfort on the court and is something to take note of if the guard suits up on Friday night.

Game 2 Player Prop Picks

• Tyler Herro Over 2.5 three-pointers +104
• LeBron James to record triple-double +190

Duncan Robinson just wasn’t feeling it on Wednesday night, missing all three of his 3-point attempts in the Miami loss, and now there is a good chance the Heat will be without Dragic and Adebayo in Game 2. I think Tyler Herro will be the guy to step up and fill the scoring void for the Heat on Friday night. Back him to bang home over 2.5 three-pointers at +104 odds in Game 2 as Miami desperately tries to make this a series.

King James was just one assist shy from recording a massive triple-double on Wednesday night, but came up just short thanks to the Heat playing a non-competitive basketball game. Somehow, I think Miami will manage to narrow the margin of deficit in Game 2 and force LeBron to play a few more minutes and put in a little more effort.

That is why I am backing Lebron to record a triple-double at +190 odds, hoping that the 'King' is just a little bit better than he was in the series opener.

Game 2 Best Bet Picks

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Heat heading into this game. If Dragic and Bam both do not play, that is going to leave a hefty scoring load for Butler and company to bear the brunt of, and will require exhausting energy on offense that could be better utilized defending LeBron and AD.

I think the magical Miami Heat struggle again on Friday night. The Lakers are a real team. Los Angeles -7.5 is my best bet for Friday night.

Score Prediction: Lakers 114, Heat 104