FREE NBA PLAYOFF PICKS
*Original NBA Playoff picks and research are done a game day morning, adjust your selections accordingly should spreads and lineups change.
SAME GAME MULTI
- LA LAKERS WIN
The Lakers have not put a foot wrong over Games 1 and 2, and despite the eventual Heat run most likely on the way, the return of a banged up Adebayo is not enough for the W.
- KELLY OLYNYK 10+ PTS (ALT LINE)
With BAM out in Game 2, Olynyk got up 16 shots, going 9-16 from the floor straight up and 3-7 from three-point range. If Adebayo (neck) loses a few minutes they’ll go to the big Canadian, and so will the extra shots.
- OVER 206.5 TOTAL POINTS (ALT LINE)
The Game 2 total of 238 points easily cleared the 216.5 line set. Tonight’s line of 217.5 could easily be eclipsed also, but we’re taking the alternate line for some extra stocking filler.
- ANTHONY DAVIS 25+ PTS (ALT LINE)
AD could not miss in Game 2, having his way under the glass with Adebayo on the sidelines. Davis has 34 & 32 points over Games 1 & 2, and like him to again get his fair share of shots up from three-point range, at the rim, and a few offensive put-backs. Just too many ways to score for the big guy and the Heat are really struggling to cover. BAM back at less than 100% is not the answer.
ODDS – $3.15
LA LAKERS @ MIAMI
LA LAKERS LEAD 2-0
PLAYER BETTING TRENDS
- Rajon Rondo has 7+ assists in 8 of his last 9 playoff games against the Heat. (6.5)
- LeBron James has 32+ points in his last 4 Game 3s of an NBA Finals series. (28.5)
- Jimmy Butler has 7+ assists in 4 of his last 5 games with Goran Dragic out. (6.5)
- Anthony Davis has 32+ points in the Lakers’ last 3 games against the Heat. (30.5)
MATCHUP TRENDS
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
SEASON SERIES
| 03.10.20 | LAL | MIA | 124 : 114 |
| 01.10.20 | LAL | MIA | 116 : 98 |
| 14.12.19 | MIA | LAL | 110 : 113 |
| 09.11.19 | LAL | MIA | 95 : 80 |
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| LAL | 52 | 19 | 25-10 | 27-9 |
| MIA | 44 | 29 | 29-7 | 15-22 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | AV. TOT |
| LAL | 113.4 | 107.6 | +5.8 | 221.0 |
| MIA | 112.0 | 109.1 | +2.9 | 221.1 |
PICKS ATS
| Spread | Points | Result |
| LAL | OVER | MIA |
| -9.5 | 217.5 | 115-104 |
As expected, the Lakers were just too srong to the Heat without Adebayo (neck) and Dragic (foot). It was essentially Miami’s depth vs the Lakers bit two, and once the Heat lost two key starters, it was game over.
Despite Miami’s current predicament, coach Spoelstra is still confident. “We don’t give a shit what everybody else thinks,” he said after the 124-114 Game 2 loss. “What will it take? Whatever is necessary. Simple as that. If you want something badly enough, you’ll figure it out. Our group is stubborn and persistent, and we just need to figure out how to overcome this opponent.”
For the Lakers, they just need to do more of the same. They have been outscoring and outrebounding Miami and have been solid both in the paint and from three-point range, and they show little sign of slowing down with LeBron and AD both dictating play.
Davis is averaging 33 points and 11.5 rebounds through the first two games, and James is just behind at 29 and 11.
Adebayo should return tonight, but his return at 70% won’t be enough to get the Heat over the line.
PICK – OVER 217.5 TOTAL POINTS
