Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat – NBA Finals Game 3, October 4, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have problems to defeat the Miami Heat in the opening two games of the NBA Finals, and now Erik Spoelstra’s side is playing with its back up against the wall. Miami has an imperative to win Game 3, or else this series will practically be over for the Eastern Conference champions. The Game 3 tip-off is set at 7:30 PM ET.

These inter-conference rivals have met on three occasions this season, and the Lakers won all four encounters. Take a look at my Lakers vs. Heat betting preview for Game 3.

The Lakers covered the spread in both wins and despite that, the sportsbooks decided to lower the spread on Los Angeles a bit for Game 3. They set it at -8.5, while the total is set at 218.5, which is the highest total in the series so far. The reason for that is the fact the rivals have combined for 238 points in Game 2, while the reason for the lowered spread on the Lakers must be the return of Bam Adebayo, who missed Game 2 with a shoulder injury. 

Once again, Los Angeles pretty much decided the tilt in the opening half, in which they created a 14-point lead and scored even 68 points. Although their defense was quite leaky in the second 24 minutes, the offense made sure the Heat don’t make a comeback. The Lakers shot over 50.0% from the floor and hit 16 triples opposite Miami’s 11, while Frank Vogel’s side was better in both rebounds (44-37) and assists (32-29). 

LeBron James posted a nearly triple-double as he dominated with 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Anthony Davis followed The King with a double-double of 32 points and game-high 14 boards, Rajon Rondo also recorded a double-double of 16 points and team-high ten dishes, along with four rebounds, while Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 11 points apiece. 

Wearing our Mamba uniforms, @KingJames scores our 81st point with 8:24 on the clock ? pic.twitter.com/t93FHyXjff

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2020

Miami couldn’t resist the Lakers without injured Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, and the loss was inevitable, although the Heat didn’t give up without a fight and played decently. Still, Erik Spoelstra’s team trailed for almost the entire game and had a lead on only three occasions early in the opening quarter. 

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with a double-double of 25 points and game-high 13 assists, along with eight rebounds. Kelly Olynyk added 24 points and team-high nine boards, Tyler Herro contributed with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Kendrick Nunn and Jae Crowder combined for 25 points.

Although the end result was an 0-2 deficit, the squad fought hard shorthanded against the Lakers.

See the takeaways from last night's #NBAFinals Game 2 https://t.co/MCCZzsntFS

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 3, 2020

The Heat will likely have Bam Adebayo back for Game 3, but it seems that Goran Dragic will not be ready in time to suit up and face the Lakers. That will leave Miami shorthanded once again, and the Heat will definitely miss the Slovenian guard, who has been the team’s top scorer this postseason.

Miami will go all-in in this duel and I expect them to display the best performance on Sunday, but the Lakers are too strong for them at the moment. I bet on Los Angeles to cover the spread in Game 2 and they delivered it barely, but a win is a win at the end of the day. I am going with the Lakers again, as I don’t think they will lose a single game in this series.