Miami Heat vs L.A. Lakers: NBA Finals Game 2 Betting Preview and Free Pick

Will the Lakers win Game 2 to put the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy further out of reach for the Heat? Or will Miami pull off a miracle upset to even the series? The Heat will have to play a full 48 minutes of inspired basketball to keep this contest close.

This is the beauty of sports betting! Let’s take a look at what transpired in Game 1, so we can make some reasonable projections regarding what to expect in Game 2.

Heat Steamrolled In Game 1

Following Miami’s opening surge in the first quarter, it was almost all Los Angeles the rest of the way. The Lakers played aggressively and worked to extinguish the Heat on every possession. L.A. shot 11-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first half, sinking as many threes in 24 minutes as Miami Heat did all game.

With the Los Angeles Lakers leading by five, MiamiHeat guard Goran Dragic suffered a plantar fascia tear early in the second quarter. Dragic had been leading the charge for Miami, and his absence had an immediate impact. L.A. kept coming, pressing, and by halftime the Lakers enjoyed a 17-point lead that was soon to swell.

Six minutes into the second half, Miami C Bam Adebayo went down with what appears to be a shoulder strain. Adebayo, the heart and soul of the Heat, did not return. LA proceeded to outshoot, outrebound, and straight outplay what was left of Miami.

The Lakers shot 39.5% from 3-point-land, while the Heat shot 31.4% from deep. Miami sharpshooter Tyler Herro had a particularly bad day, only hitting 2-of-8 from long range while missing his only free throw attempt. Herro shot a disappointing 6-out-of-18 from the field.

L.A. won the rebound battle 54-36, including nine offensive rebounds. The last thing Miami wants to do is give the top offensive team in the league second chances. The Lakers also attempted almost twice as many free throws as the Heat, converting on 25/27 vs Miami’s meager 11/14.

Miami F Jimmy Butler fought valiantly, scoring 23 points while dishing out five assists. Guard Kendrick Nunn came off the bench to perform brilliantly for the Heat, scoring 18 points in just 20 minutes. Miami rallied in the fourth quarter, but L.A. proved to be too much for them. The Twin Towers of L.A. combined for 59 points, 22 rebounds, and 14 assists. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points, and LBJ finished one assist shy of recording an NBA Finals triple-double. Check out the highlights:

Betting Trends/Injuries to Consider

The Lakers entered the season as favored to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. LeBron and crew have not disappointed us, hitting their stride as bubble play progressed. LA is 7-2-1 ATS over their last 10 games, and LBJ will not allow the Lakers to ease off the gas in Game 2.

It’s possible that Miami will be down two of its starting five players, and that hurts. Dragic and Adebayo are the cornerstones of the Heat’s success. Without Dragic’s on-court leadership and Adebayo’s block of Boston’s Jayson Tatum’s dunk in the ECF, Miami likely isn’t even here.

L.A. smells blood in the water, and the sharks will be circling Miami in Game 2. The Lakers will be ripping off chunks of flesh whenever possible, finishing the kill. Dragic reportedly can put weight on his foot, and may give it a go. Adebayo has vowed to play no matter what. Regardless, the Heat will at the very least be hobbled heading into a fierce battle with Los Angeles.

The over is looking really good for the point total here. The over has hit in four of the Heat’s last five games, and four of the Lakers’ last six contests. Los Angeles will endeavor to bury Miami alive in Game 2, and we can expect to witness a massive blowout.

It’s Raining Ducketts: NBA Finals Free Pick, Los Angeles Lakers -9½

Over 216½ Total Points