LeBron James and Bam Adebayo (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers game will be contested at Kaseya Center on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET. The Heat are sitting at 7th in the Eastern Conference with a 9-10 record. They’ve been struggling lately, losing their last two games, including a recent 89-108 loss to the Boston Celtics.
While for the Lakers, they’ve definitely seen better days. Once a staple near the top of the Western Conference, they’ve now dropped to 8th place. After losing five games, they finally won over the Utah Jazz in a close game. But just when things seemed to be looking up, they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are in 11th place, with a score of 80-109. This puts their record at 12-9. The two teams have faced off 72 times in the regular season, with Miami winning 33 games and the Lakers taking 39.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Prediction
The Heat are averaging about 110 points per game this season, ranking 21st in the league. Defensively, they’re doing a decent job, giving up 109.8 points per game, which is pretty solid at 6th overall. Where they’re really struggling is on the boards—they’re allowing 46.6 rebounds per game, the third-worst in the league. They do grab 43.1 rebounds of their own, which ranks 21st. On a positive note, they’re hitting 14.6 three-pointers per game (9th in the league) and shooting 37.1% from deep, sitting at 11th in 3-point percentage.
LeBron James and Jimmy Butler (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Lakers are putting up 112.3 points per game but allowing 114.9, putting them at 17th in offensive production and 22nd defensively. Their three-point shooting has been a bit lackluster—they’re making only 11.8 threes a game, which ranks 24th in the NBA, and their 3-point percentage sits at 34.9%. On the rebounding front, they’re pulling down 40.5 boards per game, ranking near the bottom at 4th-worst, and allowing 43.6 rebounds, which puts them at 13th. The Lakers have some work to do in both shooting and rebounding.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Probable Starting Lineups
Here are the expected lineups for both teams.
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Miami Heat
PG Tyler Herro
SG Terry Rozier
SF Pelle Larsson
PF Haywood Highsmith
C Bam Adebayo
Los Angeles Lakers
PG D’Angelo Russell
SG Dalton Knecht
SF Rui Hachimura
PF Lebron James
C Anthony Davis
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Injuries Update
For the Heat, it looks like they might be a bit banged up going into the game. Kevin Love’s dealing with a back issue, which is questionable, while Josh Richardson’s got a head injury and could also be out. Kel’el Ware’s foot is bothering him, so he’s listed as questionable, just like Nikola Jovic, who’s dealing with an ankle issue. And, of course, Jimmy Butler’s knee is acting up, so he might not play either.
The Lakers aren’t much better off. Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are both out with foot and knee injuries. Bronny James might sit out, too, with a heel problem, and Jalen Hood-Schifino is questionable, thanks to a groin issue. Austin Reaves is in the same boat with a pelvis injury, and Jaxson Hayes will miss the game with an ankle injury. So, it looks like both teams are going to be missing some important players.
