Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 3/1/2018

Thursday, March 1, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Thursday, March 1, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 5 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 26-34. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.0 as they are averaging 107.9 points per game while giving up 109.9 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 32-29. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 101.1 points per game and surrendering 101.6, good for a point differential of -0.5.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-27-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 32-27-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 30-27-4 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 26-33-2 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

02/17/18 F Channing Frye Appendix is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

02/27/18 G Wayne Ellington Quad left last game, is "?" Thursday vs LA Lakers
01/12/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 69%. Kyle Kuzma averages 15.4 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 17.5 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Hassan Whiteside averages 14.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.9 rebounds per contest and 0.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 107.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.03 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.6 rebounds per game and 23.8 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16 per game. The Lakers allow 109.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 28th in the league with 101.1 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.43. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 22. The Heat are 12th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Heat surrender 101.6 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20.3 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 42.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 18th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Los Angeles is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Heat are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 106.2, and their offensive rating of 105.7 is ranked 25th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Miami -5

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