The Miami Heat wrap a six-game western road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
Miami has won three of the first five games of this travel swing, even with star Jimmy Butler suspended and trying to force his way out of Florida. It’s been the role players — like guard Terry Rozier — that have helped keep the Heat competitive during this stretch.
Here are my Heat vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for January 15.
Heat vs Lakers prediction
My best bet
Terry Rozier Over 3.5 assists (+115 at bet365)
My analysis
Veteran shooting guard Terry Rozier has been a jack of all trades for the Miami Heat, doing whatever's needed to keep the team in the game.
Some nights, Rozier is scoring buckets or pulling down rebounds, and other nights, he’s serving as a playmaker to set up teammates. With Jimmy Butler suspended and Bam Adebayo doubtful with a bad back, Rozier will be called upon to do all those things against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
The assist market is where we find the best value in Rozier’s player props, with the total set at 3.5 O/U and the Over paying plus-money across the board.
Player projections for Rozier range from 3.3 to 5.0 dimes against the Lakers, with my number sitting north of four assists. That should have this prop priced around Over 3.5 -130, but books are offering a much higher return.
The Heat run a controlled pace with the basketball and thrive on playmaking, boasting a Top-10 assist-to-FG ratio, which has spiked even higher during this road trip. Rozier is averaging 4.4 assists over those past five games while also being clocked for 5.5 potential assists per contest in that span.
The Lakers are on a three-game slide in which they’ve struggled defensively. Their most recent loss was a 24-point drubbing from San Antonio, which recorded 30 assists on 48 made field goals (.625 A/FG rate).
With Butler on the sideline and Bam sitting out again, Rozier will draw more minutes and more touches, presenting more opportunities to find someone for a bucket.
Heat vs Lakers same-game parlay
Terry Rozier Over 3.5 assists
Tyler Herro 20+ points
Jamie Jaquez Jr. 5+ rebounds
Rozier is averaging more than four assists during this current road trip, and player projections call for as many as five dimes tonight.
With Butler out and Bam banged up, Tyler Herro will have the green light against a struggling Lakers defense.
Jaquez has been all over the boards and battles a Lakers frontcourt that gives up plenty of rebounds. The Heat need a good night on the glass with his models calling for 5+ rebounds.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Heat vs Lakers odds
Heat vs Lakers live odds
Heat vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Miami +3 | Los Angeles -3
- Moneyline: Miami +125 | Los Angeles -150
- Over/Under: Over 217.5 | Under 217.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Heat vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles opened as a 3-point favorite, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis drawing their standard questionable tags, but it looks like both are probable and that — along with Bam Adebayo’s bad back — had pumped this spread to L.A. -5.
- The Over/Under total hit the board at 217.5 points and has bounced up and down a tick but remains on that opener.
- Covers Consensus shows 67% of total picks are siding with the Over, while 66% of spread picks are banking on the Lakers to cover as home favorites.
Heat vs Lakers trend
The Lakers are 4-7 SU and ATS against Eastern Conference foes this season, with a 4-7 O/U count in those non-conference games. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Lakers.
How to watch Heat vs Lakers
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-15-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN SU, SPECSN, SN |
Heat vs Lakers latest injuries
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