Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers – Game 5, 2020 NBA Finals

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of winning their 17th title when they meet the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday. They have a commanding 3-1 lead, and as we all probably know, only one team managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals – LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors. That doesn’t mean the Heat will give up without a fight, but they have a mountain to climb. The Game 5 tip-off is set at 9 PM ET.

These inter-conference rivals have met on five occasions this season, and the Lakers are leading the series 4-1. Take a look at my Heat vs. Lakers betting preview for Game 5.

Miami had only eight available players in rotation in Game 4, and although they fought bravely until the end, we couldn’t expect them to upset the Lakers and tie the series to 2-2. They stayed close in the opening half, though, but the Heat didn’t move the ball well on offense, and that cost them in the end. Erik Spoelstra’s side recorded 18 assists opposite Los Angeles’ 25.

Jimmy Butler led his team with a near triple-double performance of 22 points, team-high ten rebounds, and game-high nine assists, along with game-high three steals. Still, the absence of Goran Dragic, Miami’s top scorer in the postseason, proved to be crucial in Game 4. Tyler Herro added 21 points and seven boards, Duncan Robinson scored 17 points, while Bam Adebayo finished the tilt with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Fact. Nowhere. #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/puTIt8uJTq

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 7, 2020

Los Angeles was a favorite to sweep Miami in this series, mostly because of Dragic and Adebayo’s injuries, but even when Adebayo returned to the floor, the Heat couldn’t do a lot against Frank Vogel’s side. Even though Game 4 was pretty tied in many segments, the Lakers did look more like a team, especially on defense, as they kept the Heat below 100 points for the second time in the NBA Finals in a 102-96 victory.

LeBron James led the Lakers with a double-double of 28 points and game-high 12 rebounds, along with team-high eight assists. Anthony Davis followed him with 22 points, nine boards, four dimes, and game-high four blocks, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed with 15 points and five dishes.

Passing. Shooting. Slashing. @CaldwellPope came up huge ??? pic.twitter.com/Q872AFVUVG

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 7, 2020

Dragic is doubtful to face the Lakers on Friday, and he will likely be sidelined once again, while Bam Adebayo, who sustained a fresh neck injury in Game 4, will probably feature. However, I don’t think Bam will help the Heat a lot in Game 5, even though he will definitely make a presence in the pain and below the rims. I believe the only chance the Heat have in this game is a high-scoring affair, and they must score 110+ points just to stay in contention.

They scored 115 points in their only win in this series, and the Heat must repeat that Game 3 display if they want to stay alive in the NBA Finals. The Lakers covered the spread in two of four games, while Over went in two of four games of the series. It’s going to be a tough one to bet on, but I am backing the Heat to improve offensively, and that’s why I am going with Over.