NBA Finals Lakers vs Heat Betting Preview and Series Prop Bets

On Wednesday, September 30^th, the 2020 NBA Finals tips off as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Miami Heat to determine this year’s NBA champion.

This series features plenty of storylines, but none more prevalent in the media than Lebron James seeking revenge against his former team the Miami Heat for what he believes was unfair treatment after he left the Heat to go back to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.

James won two championships and two MVPs with the Heat before returning to the Cavaliers. Following his departure, Heat president Pat Riley had some unflattering remarks for James. Riley would also love to beat James this year and the Lakers franchise that he won six titles with as their head coach.

This year’s NBA Finals is the first time James will play against the Heat in the Playoffs. Not only will he look to get some measure of satisfaction in beating his former team, James is also looking to give the Lakers their 17^th championship all-time and to honor the late Kobe Bryant.

NBA betting sites have released odds on the Finals and several intriguing prop bets. Let’s take a closer look at these wagers courtesy of BetOnline and slam dunk these predictions.

HEAT. LAKERS. GAME 1 WEDNESDAY at 9pm/et on ABC.

Watch the 2020 #NBAFinals presented by @youtubetv https://t.co/XpZcSqltLC pic.twitter.com/eX55WFe4os

— NBA (@NBA) September 28, 2020

NBA Finals Schedule

The NBA Finals can be seen exclusively on ABC. Games 5, 6 and 7 are only necessary if the Lakers or Heat don’t sweep the Finals.

• Game 1: Wednesday, Sept. 30^th at 9PM ET
• Game 2: Friday, Oct. 2^nd at 9PM ET
• Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 4^th at 7:30PM ET
• Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 6^th at 9PM ET
• Game 5: Friday, Oct. 9^th at 9PM ET
• Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 11^th at 7:30PM ET
• Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 13^th at 9:00PM ET

How the Two Teams Got Here

Here’s a quick recap of how both of these teams made it to the NBA Finals:

Lakers Put on a Show in the West

• Round 1: Defeated Portland Trail Blazers (4-1)
• Round 2: Defeated Houston Rockets (4-1)
• Round 3: Defeated Denver Nuggets (4-1)

The opening round of the Playoffs saw the Lakers eliminate the Trailblazers with relative ease after Portland’s star player Damian Lillard was injured and missed most of the series.

In the second round, the Lakers dominated the Rockets who were supposed to be the one team that could beat L.A.

The Western Conference Finals was a surprise matchup of the Lakers vs the Nuggets as most pundits had predicted the Clippers vs Lakers in this round. Denver made things interesting for a few games, but LA’s elite talent was too much for the Nuggets to handle.

The Lakers eliminated all three teams in five games and never appeared in danger of being eliminated at any point.

The Heat Scorched the East

• Round 1: Defeated Indiana Pacers (4-0)
• Round 2: Defeated Milwaukee Bucks (4-1)
• Round 3: Defeated Boston Celtics (4-2)

The Heat’s defense has been nothing short of impressive during the Playoffs. They easily swept the Pacers in the opening round and then did a masterful job on the top seeded Bucks.

1st 5 seed to reach the #NBAFinals#HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/hMPApv75iK

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 28, 2020

From there, the Heat went into battle against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but proved that their depth and talent were too much for Boston to handle.

Like the Lakers, the Heat also played 15 games and eliminated their opposition in six games or less.

Who Wins the 2020 NBA Finals?

• Lakers (-370)
• Heat (+290)

According to NBA Finals betting sites, the Lakers are the clear betting favorites. Unfortunately, their odds do not offer any betting value. If you think the Heat will win then a wager could net you almost a 3-to-1 return.

During the regular season, the Lakers beat the Heat in their two head to head matchups: 95 to 80 and 113 to 110. However, those two games took place last year and this Miami team is a different breed of animal than they were back then.

The Top Matchup of the NBA Finals

All eyes will be on LeBron James and Jimmy Butler in the Finals, but the key matchup to this series is LA’s Anthony Davis versus Miami’s Bam Adebayo.

Davis had his way in the Western Conference Playoffs as he averaged 28.8 ppg, 57.1% shooting from the field and 9.3 rpg. Adebayo averaged 11.2 rpg, 18.5 ppg, and 57.1% shooting in the Playoffs.

The significance here is that Adebayo has the size, quickness and agility to guard Anthony Davis whereas previous Western Conference big men were too slow. If Adebayo limits Davis’ contributions, this series will be a lot tougher for the Lakers to win.

Adebayo had a monster game to eliminate the Celtics and lead the Heat to the Finals as he finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. If Bam can come close to these numbers against the Lakers, then Miami could possibly pull off the upset.

LeBron Looks to Make History

As mentioned, not only is LeBron looking to bring the 17^th championship home to the Lakers, but he’s also looking to win the NBA Finals MVP on a third different team, which no player has ever done before. James is currently the odds on favorite (-106) to win this award.

Can the Heat Pull off the Upset?

No #5 seed has ever won the NBA championship. Yet, this Miami Heat isn’t like any #5 seed before. They’re loaded with talent and play fantastic defense. Miami can play big or small ball and have the defensive chops to slow down LeBron and the Lakers.

Lakers vs. Heat for the 2020 NBA Finals. How many games does this go? pic.twitter.com/ftlyLGY3El

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) September 28, 2020

With that said, I still believe the Lakers have the edge over the Heat in this series and I expect LeBron James to carry this team to an NBA Championship. LA built this super team for one reason – to win the NBA title. Now that they’re in the Finals, I just don’t see the Lakers and LeBron James losing.

NBA Finals Total Games in Series

• 5 Games (+225)
• 6 Games (+225)
• 7 Games (+300)
• 4 Games (+325)

All three of the Lakers’ series in the Playoffs so far have ended in five games. However, I believe the Heat are better than any of the teams that LA has played in the West. I like this series to go six games and for the Lakers to win 4 to 2.

NBA Finals Series Handicap

• Miami Heat +2.5 (-155)
• Los Angeles Lakers -2.5 (+125)

Here’s one prop bet that I believe favors the Heat. For the Lakers to cover 2.5 games, they would have to win 4-1 or sweep Miami. I don’t see either scenario happening. I like the Heat to win at least two games in this best of seven series.

NBA Finals Exact Series Outcome

• Los Angeles Lakers 4 to 1 (+285)
• Los Angeles Lakers 4 to 2 (+325)
• Los Angeles Lakers 4 to 0 (+375)
• Los Angeles Lakers 4 to 3 (+500)
• Miami Heat 4 to 3 (+700)
• Miami Heat 4 to 2 (+1000)
• Miami Heat 4 to 1 (+1800)
• Miami Heat 4 to 0 (+5000)

The last time the @Lakers were in the #NBAFinals. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/Lfona07Cgj

— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) September 28, 2020

As you saw above, I like the Lakers to win this series 4 games to 2. I believe Miami can remain competitive throughout the Finals, but LeBron will be too much for the Heat to handle. His experience and overall level of talent will be the difference in this series.

NBA Finals Series Standing After Game 3

• Los Angeles Lakers 2 to 1 (+100)
• Los Angeles Lakers 3 to 0 (+200)
• Miami heat 2 to 1 (+300)
• Miami Heat 3 to 0 (+2000)

This prop bet is an interesting one. I see one of these teams starting off 2-1 in the first three games, but I don’t see either team holding a commanding 3-0 lead.

I really think the Lakers will come out and win Game 1. LA is favored by five points to win the first game of the NBA Finals and I believe they will cover that spread.

The Heat should bounce back in Game 2 before the Lakers retake control and win Game 3. Go with the Lakers up 2 to 1 after the first three games of the NBA Finals.