The Inside the Heat staff selects who will come out victorious in Wednesday’s game.
Devin Brown: Lakers 114, Heat 110.
The West Coast trips are always a killer, but I think the Heat will respond to the blowout loss against the Clippers. Bam Adebayo will be up for the challenge against Anthony Davis, and Tyler Herro will bounce back. The Heat will put up a tough fight on national television. Ultimately, I think Lebron will be too much late in the fourth quarter for the injury-plagued Heat.
Anthony Pasciolla: Heat 105, Lakers 102.
Miami is known for pulling out games in unfortunate circumstances. This matchup is ideal for one of those nail-biting Heat upsets. LeBron James and Anthony Davis could be absent, paving the way for monster performances from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Even if James and Davis are available, they won’t be at full strength. Positive play out of Adebayo and Herro is the biggest desire if a win is unattainable.
Casey Fahrer: Lakers 117, Heat 111.
As much as I don’t expect the Heat to drop three straight, the Lakers are well rested to start the new year and have been great at home. It will be close but I’m predicting a 117-111 Los Angeles victory over Miami.
Jayden Armant: Heat 114, Lakers 109
I think the Heat will reciprocate their underwhelming performance against the Clippers with a victory over the Lakers. Even without Caleb Martin and Jimmy Butler, I believe Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro will have a statement performance to give the Heat a win in Los Angeles.