The'2023 NBA Summer League'begins on Monday, July 3 with a California Classic matchup between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Heat vs Lakers Game Info
- Heat vs Lakers Odds & Spread
- Heat vs Lakers Prediction & Pick
- Heat vs Lakers Best Bet
Heat vs Lakers Game Info
- Date:'Monday, July 3, 2023
- Time:'6 p.m. ET
- Venue:'Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, California
- Coverage:'ESPN2
Players on both sides of the court hope to make an impact tonight. The Heat's roster is headlined b y first-round picks Jaime Jaquez Jr. (No. 18 in 2023) and Nikola Jovic (No. 27 in 2022). Meanwhile, the Lakers have a nice mixture of experienced talent (Max Christie, Scotty Pippen Jr.) and fresh faces (Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis).
Heat vs Lakers Odds & Spread
- Moneyline:'MIA: (+118) | LAL: (-144)
- Spread:'MIA: +2.5 (-110) | LAL: -2.5 (-110)
- Total:'163.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
The Lakers enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 6 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 163.5 points with both sides being available at -110 odds.
Heat vs Lakers Prediction & Pick
While the Heat are rostering a few solid names like Jaquez and Jovic, along with a few G-Leaguers, their team is largely made up of undrafted free agents. The Lakers not only have some talented fresh faces like Hood-Schifino and Lewis, but they also have the trio of Christie, Pippen, and Cole Swider, who combined for 54 NBA games last season.
At the end of the day, it's easier to side with the Lakers in this matchup. There are just too many question marks with the Heat – especially with over half of their roster being undrafted college players. If Jaquez and Jovic can't get things going early on, it could be a frustrating night for Miami.
Final Score Prediction:'Lakers: 85 | Heat: 79
Heat vs Lakers Best Bet
I recommend backing the Over on the 163.5-point total as the best bet here. Although the talent comparison leans in the Lakers' favor, there's enough skill on both sides to put up decent offensive numbers. As long as Miami and Los Angeles' top prospects show up with the intent to impress, I can easily see more than 163.5 points being scored in Sacramento.