Germantas Kneita
Show Bio
Tonight we will get to see the second meeting of the season between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. The first was a scintillating encounter, with the Heat coming out on top 108-107. But now with the game going back out west, the Lakers will look to exact their revenge. The hosts are just 10th in the Western Conference and will be desperate to win so that they can start ascending up the standings. You can check out our NBA picks. But for now, let’s jump into my Heat vs Lakers Same Game Parlay.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. to score 20+ points (+190)
Tyler Herro to record 6+ assists (+155)
Same Game Parlay odds: +484
Jaime Jaquez Jr. to score 20+ points (+190)
Hailing from the Los Angeles area, Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be able to start in his hometown once more with Jimmy Butler ruled out of tonight’s contest. He dropped 15 points last time out against the Los Angeles Clippers but should be able to improve on that, as he will not have to contend with elite perimeter defenders like Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. The Heat rookie has been very consistent as a starter too, averaging 15.4 points per game in those games on 48.2% shooting. He also makes 85.2% of his free-throw attempts. Considering that over the last 5 games the Lakers are 20th in opponent free-throw attempts per game, it could be a great way for him to inflate his scoring.
The Lakers have been 5th in the league in pace over the last 10 games. This should help ensure there are no shortage of possessions and opportunities for either side. With them also ranking 16th in defensive rating, Jaquez Jr. and the rest of the Heat should have a good chance of converting these, too. The Lakers defensive efforts will be focusing on slowing down established stars in Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. It should allow the rookie to come through as a third option and improve on his recent averages as a starter.
Read our full Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers predictions
Tyler Herro to record 6+ assists (+155)
With Butler out, the ball will be in Herro’s hands more than ever — which will come with playmaking responsibilities for the guard. He has been able to deliver on that front, managing 6 or more assists in 3 of his last 6 games. That makes the +155 line seem like a good value addition to the parlay. The Lakers should be a great opponent for this to happen, too. Herro managed to record 5 assists against them in December, despite Butler playing in that game. With higher usage, that assist number should go up.
The Lakers are also 21st in the league in opponent assists per game this season. D’Angelo Russell is not a player who can consistently keep opponent guards in front of him. Meanwhile, they have Anthony Davis — who is 5th in the NBA in blocks per game, inside the paint discouraging opponents from attacking the rim. That combination lends perfectly to creating drive-and-kick opportunities, something I expect Herro to fully exploit tonight. The Heat are 2nd in 3-point percentage this season, so his teammates look set to convert the looks he creates.
Find out Prop Holliday’s best NBA player prop bet for tonight
