Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat: Preview and Prediction

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat: Preview and Prediction

The streaking Los Angeles Lakers and the struggling Miami Heat were the two teams favored to meet in this year's NBA Finals after key acquisitions in the preseason. However, as fate would have it, Miami is on a long losing skid, and the early-favorites tag is no longer attached to them. Meanwhile, the Lakers have been on a roll, winning all their games since the All Star break. Tonight, expect a playoff atmosphere in this regular season game featuring the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat. Let us take a closer look at my game preview and prediction for this one.

The Los Angeles Lakers (46-19) head into Thursday's match-up as the hottest team in the league right now having won eight consecutive games. The Lakers are coming off a huge win Tuesday night, trashing the Atlanta Hawks 101-87 on the road. In that game, 2011 All Star MVP Kobe Bryant fired 26 points, going 9 of 11 from the free throw line. The Lakers big men dominated the hapless Hawks frontline, with center Andrew Bynum contributing 16 points and 16 rebounds, while forward Pau Gasol added 14 points and 11 boards. Veteran forward Lamar Odom came off the bench and chipped in 12 points for the Lakers, whose last loss came at the expense of the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the All Star break.

Watch the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat game live online now!

The Miami Heat (43-21) are smarting a stinging 105-96 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers last Tuesday night. In that game, high-scoring guard Dwyane Wade had a stellar performance, finishing the game with 38 points on 12 of 21 shooting from the floor, while two-time league MVP LeBron James almost had a triple double of 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, but outside of the two superstars mentioned above, only guard Mario Chalmers finished in double figures in scoring with 10 points. Miami's third piece of the Big 3, forward Chris Bosh, was limited to only 7 points and 4 rebounds on 3 of 11 shooting for the entire 40 minutes he played against Portland. The Heat's bench was outscored by the Trail Blazers, 41-8, with newly acquired point guard Mike Bibby only scoring 6 points and reserve guard Mike Miller contributing just 2 points for the Miami, who has now lost five games in a row.

One thing going right for Miami tonight is that they routed the Lakers 96-80 in the teams' first meeting of the season at the Staples Center. In that game, Miami's Big 3 played like the Big 3, with James finishing with a triple double of 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Bosh and Wade adding 24 and 18 points respectively.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat prediction In what could perhaps be biggest game in the 2011 NBA regular season, Los Angeles and Miami will definitely go at each other from the get go. Bryant and James always have great games when they go head-to-head. Considering Miami's struggles and Los Angeles' triumphs as of late, expect a close game in this one. However, I'm leaning towards a Heat victory tonight as they have more motivation to end their current slump. And considering the magnitude of their opponents tonight, I predict a strong home play for Miami in this one. Heat wins over the Lakers, 102-99.

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