Lakers vs. Heat Game 5 Odds & Picks
Date:
October 9, 9:00 pm
TV:
ABC
Betting Odds
Point Spread:
Lakers -7
Total:
216
<p>The Los Angeles Lakers look to close out the Miami Heat and win yet another NBA championship when the teams meet for Game 5 of this NBA Finals Friday night. The Lakers won the first two games of this series, let Miami take Game 3, then won Tuesday's Game 4 to take a commanding lead. Can LA finish this series off? Can the Heat avoid elimination? And how are we playing this game with our free NBA playoff pick?</p>
<h2>Lakers -7/216.5 vs. Heat, 9 pm ET, ABC</h2>
<p>Los Angeles leads this NBA Finals series three games to one, after taking Game 4 Tuesday night 102-96. That game was close throughout, with neither team ever leading by more than nine points and<br />
tied at 83-83 midway through the fourth quarter. But the Lakers then used a 17-8 spurt to take control and held on from there for the victory.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for Los Angeles financial backers, Miami G Tyler Herro tossed in a meaningless 26-foot three-pointer with one second left to give the Heat the cover as seven-point underdogs.</p>
<p>On the night, LA only shot 44 percent from the floor but held Miami to 43 percent shooting and won the battle on the glass 51-44.</p>
<p>Also, Tuesday's game played under a total of 218, as both teams struggled to put the ball in the hole. So the unders are now 3-1 in this series, as the games have averaged 217 total points against an average over/under of 218.</p>
<p>With Tuesday's victory/non-cover Los Angeles is now 15-4 SU, 11-7-1 ATS this playoff season.</p>
<p>With Tuesday's loss/cover, the Heat are now 13-6 SU, 14-5 ATS this playoff season.</p>
<p>Also, the Lakers are now 5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS against Miami this season.</p>
<p>The NBA Finals Game 5 betting odds opened Los Angeles at -7.5 over Miami, with an over/under of right around 217. Early betting action then dipped that spread to -7 and the total to 216. </p>
<p>According to ESPN, out of 35 previous NBA Finals in which one team led the series three games to one, 18 of those ended in Game 5. </p>
<p>On the injury front, Miami got C Bam Adebayo back for Game 4 after he missed the previous two games with a sore neck, and he produced 15 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes of floor time. But G Goran Dragic is still listed as doubtful for Game 5 with his bad foot. </p>
Lakers vs. Heat Game 5 Predictions 10/9/20
Adebayo's return is essential; he does things nobody else on his team can do. With three games decided by double-digits, this series is due for a game that goes right down to the final seconds. They might not win this one outright, but we like the Heat plus the points here
Free Pick:
Take the Heat plus the points
