NBA Heat vs. Lakers Picks & Predictions for Thursday, January 17, 2013
By ATSSportsline.com
LOS ANGELES, CA (ATS Consultants) – LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points and now his Miami Heat will head to L.A. to take on the Lakers. Will Miami prevail?
ODDS: Oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv have installed the Lakers as a 2-point favorite at most books, while the total is 206.5.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Lakers opened as a 2-point favorite and remained there at most books. The total started at 210 and moved to 206.5 in most books.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the current wagers placed on tonight’s game, 70% of NBA public bettors currently favor the Heat. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided to get the most updated public betting numbers.
NBA FREE PICK: Take Miami. According to latest NBA trends, Heat are 41-20-1 ATS in their last 62 vs. NBA Pacific, 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings and Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings L.A. Lakers are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 vs. Eastern Conference, 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games playing on 1 days rest, 12-27-1 ATS in their last 40 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game, 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games following a S.U. win and are 6-18 ATS in their last 24 Thursday games.
LeBron James scored 25 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday's 92-75 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Miami entered Wednesday having lost three of four on its six-game road trip before blowing out Golden State on what was a historic night for James. The three-time league MVP -- at 28 years, 17 days -- became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points, and also surpassed 5,000 assists, compiling 25 and 10 to go along with seven boards. Kobe Bryant held the previous record, reaching 20,000 points at 29 years, 122 days. James is averaging 30.0 points over his last six road games against the Lakers. Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers both chipped in 15 points Wednesday while Chris Bosh added 11 for Miami, which outscored the Warriors 22-5 in transition to improve to 9-9 on the road. The Heat are 15-2 when Chalmers scores at least eight. James, Wade and Bosh all figure to be well rested Thursday after sitting out the entire fourth quarter against Golden State. The Heat will step up in prime time, thanks to a defense that allows just 85.4 points per game over the last seven outings.
THURSDAY NBA FREE PICK: MIAMI HEAT +2
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