Currently off to a hot start to their 2021-22 campaign, the Miami Heat hold the best record in the Eastern Conference through their first 10 games and have reminded the entire league why they're not to be overlooked as title contenders during the young NBA season. With Jimmy Butler looking like an MVP candidate in the early going and Tyler Herro making a strong case for sixth man of the year during his redemption tour, things are already looking up for the Heat.
Not to mention the addition of NBA champion and All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry has immensely improved their play on both ends of the floor and Bam Adebayo has once again been a dominant presence in the paint for Miami. As they look to bounce back from a tough loss to the Nuggets and give the Lakers all kinds of trouble, let's dive into four bold predictions for their primetime match-up in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Heat Predictions For Lakers Game
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4. The Heat will put on a 3-point clinic
With their lethal combination of youth, experience, and killer ball movement, the Miami Heat have become one of the league's most explosive scoring teams – especially with the wide array of multi-skilled offensive players they have on their roster. Between Lowry's dynamic play as a combo guard, Butler excelling on the wing or in the backcourt, and the lights out 3-point shooting from Herro, Duncan Robinson, and P.J. Tucker, the Heat possess a plethora of efficient shooting from beyond the arc.
This is exactly why they can light up the scoreboard on any given night. Between their selfless team play and stellar passing, the Heat will be getting plenty of looks from 3-point land all game long. So you can definitely expect the Heat to have an offensive outburst from deep against an injury-plagued Lakers team that's had their fair share of defensive struggles this season.
3. Miami's smothering defense will overwhelm LA
As one of the best two-way team's in the NBA, the Heat have shown over the years that they're relentlessness on the defensive end is why they've been so successful in recent seasons and how they're always able to upset teams and even win in an ugly manner. Meanwhile the Lakers are still figuring things out and trying to make all their new additions fit well together. Anchored by Lowry, Butler, and Adebayo, the Heat have been playing in perfect sync with one another and have displayed some really strong team chemistry.
Article Continues BelowThis'll be a huge problem for the Lakers on Wednesday night as they still seem to have a scattered and wildly disorganized offense. With LA still figuring things out on the offensive end of the court and Miami locked in and laser-focused in their defensive sets, there's a strong chance that the Heat will overwhelm them with their defensive tenacity.
2. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will have their way with the Lakers
Coming into this season on a mission to rewrite the script from last year's disappointing finish, Butler and Adebayo are looking to lead the Heat back to the top of the Eastern Conference as they've got their sights set on another NBA championship. Heavily favored to win Wednesday's showdown with the Lakers, these two superstars will aim to be the driving force behind the Heat's dominant performance as they'll be working tirelessly to decimate LA on both ends of the floor.
With their rugged style of play and selfless leadership, Butler and Adebayo will both have big nights in what's set to be a very winnable game for the Miami Heat. Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis best come prepared, because this Heat team will be determined to come up with another big win and follow the lead of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo's stellar play.
1. The Heat will win their eighth game of the season
After a hot start to their season, the Heat are cooking with gas and sitting pretty as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. With their lethal mix of depth, veteran leadership, youth, and athleticism the Heat will be all too much for the lowly Lakers to handle as they'll be playing undermanned and have to match wits with the gritty bunch from South Beach.
In their quest to get back to elite status, the Heat will be coming at the Lakers with everything in their arsenal and unloading all kinds of chaos. Come Wednesday night, watch out for this tough-minded Miami Heat squad to put on another highlight worthy performance and light up the scoreboard.