The stage is set for the NBA finals at Disney World (still feels strange writing that) as the Miami Heat face-off with the former face of the team LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers defeated Miami in both meetings in the regular season, but the Heat have changed a lot since then, slaying favorites on their way to an unlikely finals appearance. Check out our preview of Game 1 of 2020 NBA finals below.
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Betting Preview for the Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals Game 1 on September 30, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-5) – View 2020 NBA Finals betting lines
TV Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, TNT
Betting on the Miami Heat (+5)
Regular Season Record: 44-29
The Heat may be the underdog in the NBA finals against Los Angeles, but they don’t really care about that. Especially after they just won two series in a row against favored opponents in the Milwaukee Bucks during the second round and the Boston Celtics in the conference finals. Miami is being led by Jimmy Butler, but perhaps the most important player for Miami in the finals is going to be Bam Adebayo, as he’ll be the most well-rounded big man to face Anthony Davis in the playoffs. Adebayo smoked the Celtics in the previous round for 21.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. He’s unlikely to reach those numbers in the finals, but he’ll be a problem in the middle for the Lakers. Butler, Jae Crowder, and Andre Iguodala give the Heat a trio of able bodies to throw at LeBron James, who didn’t have to deal with such a talented group of wing defenders in the previous two rounds of the playoffs. Then there’s the Heat’s outside shooting, with Duncan Robinson, Goran Dragic, and Tyler Herro all ready to launch deep shots.
The Heat are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (-5)
Regular Season Record: 52-19
LA Lakers Betting Guide and Tips: Click here (it’s free!)
LeBron James is back in the NBA finals, which he’s so familiar with. But not one of his past trips to that stage had seen him play alongside such a talented big man in Anthony Davis. James and Davis are the two driving forces of this team, each playing at an MVP level. In the playoffs, Davis is averaging 28.8 points in 57.1 shooting from the field, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. James, on the other hand, is recording 26.7 points on 54.7 percent shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. Dwight Howard might matter a lot again for the Lakers. After getting used sparingly in the second round against the small-ball playing Houston Rockets, Howard saw significant minutes in the conference finals opposite the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game. Howard is way past his prime, but he can still provide quality minutes in controlling the board, defending the rim, and just putting a body on Adebayo.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 116-112.
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