Thursday, December 22, 2016

American Airlines Arena

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The Los Angeles Lakers travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Thursday, December 22, 2016. The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 11-20. They are 4th in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -6.1 as they are averaging 104.7 points per game while giving up 110.7 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 9-20. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 98.4 points per game and surrendering 101.6, good for a point differential of -3.2.

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 12.8 points per game while playing 28.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 8.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 68%. Jordan Clarkson averages 14.8 points per game in 28.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Hassan Whiteside averages 18.1 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 14.8 rebounds per game and has 0.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage currently is at 53%. Goran Dragic averages 19.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 6.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Los Angeles averages 104.7 points per contest this season which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 52.6 rebounds per game and 20.9 assists per game which ranks them 19th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 16.1 per game. The Lakers allow 110.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 52.3 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 25.9 assists per contest which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

Miami averages 98.4 points per game this year which ranks them 25th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 26th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 26th in the NBA. They average 54.9 rebounds per game and 20.5 assists per contest which ranks them 5th and 25th respectively. In the turnover department the Heat rank 8th with 13.1 per game. The Heat allow 101.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 10th and 10th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 53.5 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.1 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. The Heat force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

The Lakers have an offensive rating of 106.1 and a defensive rating of 112.2. In terms of pace they average 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 30% of their shots. Los Angeles turns the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%.

The Heat rating on offense is 103.3 and they have a defensive rating of 106.6. They get 94.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 48%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 51% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Miami turns the ball over on 12 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 49%.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 14-16-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 18-12-1 against the over/under

Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 14-15-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 13-16-0 against the over/under

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/20/16 F Larry Nance Jr. Knee injured last game, doubtful Thursday vs Miami
12/05/16 PG Jose Calderon Hamstring expected to miss 2-4 weeks

Miami Heat Injuries

12/20/16 G Rodney McGruder Ankle "?" Thursday vs. LA Lakers
12/20/16 G Wayne Ellington Hamstring "?" Thursday vs. LA Lakers
11/30/16 G Dion Waiters Groin expected to miss 2-4 weeks
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Miami

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