The Miami Heat end a six-game Western road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Miami won three of the first five games of this trip despite star Jimmy Butler being suspended and attempting to leave Florida. It was the role players – like guard Terry Rozier – who helped keep the Heat competitive during this stretch.

Here are my Heat vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for January 15th.

Heat vs Lakers prediction

My best choice
Terry Rozier Over 3.5 assists (+115 at bet365)

My analysis
Veteran shooting guard Terry Rozier was an all-rounder for the Miami Heat and did everything he could to keep the team in the game.

Some nights Rozier shoots balls or rebounds, other nights he acts as a playmaker to set up his teammates. With Jimmy Butler suspended and Bam Adebayo doubtful due to a bad back, Rozier will have to do all of those things tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the assist market, we find the best value in Rozier’s player props, with the overall set coming in at 3.5 O/U and the overpay being consistently plus money.

Player projections for Rozier range from 3.3 to 5.0 dimes against the Lakers, with my number being over four assists. This should put the price of this prop at over 3.5-130, but books offer a much higher return.

The Heat run a controlled tempo in basketball and live by building up the game. They boast a top-10 assist-to-FG ratio that has increased even further during this road trip. Rozier has averaged 4.4 assists over the last five games and has also averaged 5.5 potential assists per game over that span.

The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak in which they have struggled defensively. Their last loss was a 24-point loss to San Antonio, which recorded 30 assists on 48 made field goals (.625 A/FG rate).

With Butler on the sideline and Bam back out, Rozier will see more minutes and more touches, providing more opportunities to find someone for a basket.

Same game between Heat and Lakers

Terry Rozier Over 3.5 assists

Tyler Herro 20+ points

Jamie Jaquez Jr. 5+ rebounds

Rozier has averaged more than four assists during this current road trip, and player projections are for as high as five cents tonight.

With Butler out and Bam injured, Tyler Herro has the green light against the Lakers’ struggling defense.

Jaquez was all over the court and battled against the Lakers’ frontcourt, which allowed a lot of rebounds. The Heat need a good night on the glass as his models demand 5+ rebounds.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Heat vs Lakers odds

Live odds for Heat vs. Lakers

Heat vs. Lakers opening odds

• Spread: Miami +3 | Los Angeles -3
• Money line: Miami +125 | Los Angeles -150
• Over/Under: About 217.5 | Below 217.5

Odds courtesy of bet365.

Heat vs. Lakers spread and over/under analysis

• Los Angeles entered as 3-point favorites, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis getting their standard questionable scores, but it looks like both are likely, and that – along with Bam Adebayo’s bad back – had that edge LA -5 increased.
• The over/under total was 217.5 points and fluctuated a touch up and down, but remains the same in this opening game.
• The cover consensus shows that 67% of all picks are on the over side, while 66% of spread picks have the Lakers as home favorites.

Heat vs. Lakers trend

The Lakers are 4-7 SU and ATS against Eastern Conference opponents this season, with a 4-7 O/U record in non-conference games. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Lakers.

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