Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers 11/10/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Matchup Preview (11/10/21)

On Wednesday, the Lakers (6-5) will host the Miami Heat (7-3) in a non-conference matchup. Los Angeles has struggled more than even the most pessimistic individuals could have even predicted. A large portion of that struggle is due to the injury bug that has ravaged the Lakers already, including their best player, LeBron James; however, that is certainly not entirely why they are losing. The Lakers are having a hard time finding an identity on both ends of the floor. In contrast, Miami has been elite offensively and defensively, with many of its players having career seasons through the first several games.

Los Angeles will still be without LeBron James; it needs a huge performance from Anthony Davis on both sides of the floor and an efficient and turnover-free outing from Russell Westbrook, who has struggled to protect the ball so far this season. Executing on offense and defense will give the Lakers a chance to win at home.

The Heat can win on the road with a strong shooting night and consistent defensive effort throughout all four quarters. Miami ranks sixth in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage), second in opponent points per game, fifth in defensive efficiency, and fourth in opponent 3P% (three-point percentage) so far this season. If Bam Adebayo can force Anthony Davis to work harder than usual to score, Miami will already be in great shape to win this game.

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

There are no odds available to the public yet since it is still more than 24 hours before tip-off. Still, there are many ways to identify what may or may not be a good bet in this matchup.

Miami should be slight road favorites against the Lakers. I like Miami in this bout. The Heat match up well with the Los Angeles Lakers defensively and should give them trouble on that end. If Adebayo guards Anthony Davis, then Los Angeles will likely need to rely on other players to produce as Adebayo is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA. The Heat also guard the perimeter very well, ranking fourth in opponent 3P% (three-point percentage). Since the three-point shot is the best part of the Lakers’ offense, it is hard to imagine they will be as effective considering Miami’s aptitude in defending it.

TV Schedule

Date: 11/10/21
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
Channel: ESPN

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Miami Heat Starting Lineup

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Jimmy Butler
SF: P.J. Tucker
PF: Duncan Robinson
C: Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat Analysis

Miami has looked like the far and away best team in the NBA during some games and then like a bottom-half team in others; it is strange, to say the least. In one game against the Boston Celtics, who don’t have an elite defensive team, the Heat only scored 78 points, which does not happen very often in the NBA. In the Heat’s first game of the season, though, they slaughtered the defending champion, Milwaukee Bucks, by 42 points, putting up a whopping 137 points. Despite the occasional inconsistency, Miami still ranks well in all areas of the game, including fourth in offensive efficiency, seventh in 3P% (three-point percentage), second in team rebounding, sixth in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage), and second in opponent points per game. Miami is one of the best teams in the NBA and, as long as it is healthy, has a shot at winning an NBA Championship.

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Kent Bazemore
SF: Avery Bradley
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Deandre Jordan

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

The Lakers are running into many of the same problems last season, including the injury bug, which has sidelined LeBron James for at least another week. James will not be available in this game, and they will have to rely on Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis to carry the majority of the offensive workload. Additionally, Davis will need to have a similar defensive output to his last game against the Charlotte Hornets, when he had five blocks and three steals if the Lakers want to beat the Miami Heat. Los Angeles had a terrific defensive team in the 2020-21 season but has not had the same effect this year, ranking 28th in opponent points per game, 18th in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage), and 17th in opponent 3P% (three-point percentage). The Lakers need to reclaim that identity on the defensive end to have a chance at beating elite teams like the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Daily Fantasy Picks

Jimmy Butler is neck-and-neck with Steph Curry right now in the MVP race, albeit being very early in the season. Butler averages 25.3 points, six rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, and most recently had a massive 31 point game against the Denver Nuggets. There was some controversy in that game after a blindside shot from Nikola Jokic to Markieff Morris; however, that did not slow down Butler. He plays better when the game is a bit more scrappy. Butler should have no problem putting up another 30 point game against the Los Angeles Lakers, especially considering they are 28th in opponent points per game and 18th in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage) in the NBA.

On Monday night, Davis had a massive game against the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 32 points with 12 rebounds, four assists, five blocks, and three steals. Needless to say, Davis was not far from the very elusive 5×5 game that very few players have ever had in the NBA. Now, he has put up big numbers in three of his past four games and seems to be hitting a stride. While Los Angeles has been very average this season, Davis will always be great and one of the best players in the NBA.