Game 52: 04/08/21 Lakers at Heat GAME THREAD

[KobeMVP888]

(32-19) LAKERS AT HEAT (26-25)

Thursday, April 8, 2021, 4:30 PM PDT
American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

Referees: Tony Brown (#6), Mitchell Ervin (#27), Scott Twardoski (#52)

Replay Center: James Capers, Kevin Cutler

Line: Heat -8.0
O/U: 204

National TV only: TNT



GAME PREVIEW: LAKERS AT HEAT: Will L.A.'s defense be enough against Miami?

by Christian Rivas, @RadRivas, silverscreenandroll.com

If we’re to believe Andre Drummond’s Instagram posts, he’ll be active when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Miami Heat on Thursday, and if that holds true, he’ll also start at center.

The Lakers have played the Heat once already this season and they played them in the NBA Finals last season, so they’re pretty familiar with Miami. Drummond, on the other hand, was inactive for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ only game against the Heat this season, so it will be his first time playing against Miami this season.

In theory, Drummond’s size will be an advantage for the Lakers because the Heat’s starting center, Bam Adebayo, is considerably smaller than Drummond, but in practice, that likely won’t be the case. Not only is Drummond not a particularly efficient scorer in the post, but Adebayo is an elite defender. In Drummond’s last meeting with Adebayo, he scored 13 points on 5-13 shooting from the field.

Drummond won’t be the only player on the Lakers that will have a hard time scoring the ball, though. Despite their slow start, the Heat are slowly re-establishing themselves as one of the premier defensive teams in the NBA. The Lakers are a stout defensive team, too, but their offense has mostly negated that in the games they’ve played without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Here’s to hoping Ben McLemore makes a strong first impression.

Notes and Updates

- Anthony Davis (right calf strain), Jared Dudley (right MCL tear) and LeBron James (right ankle sprain) are out. Andre Drummond (right big toe contusion) and Kyle Kuzma (left calf strain) are probable.

- Ben McLemore, who signed his contract with the Lakers on Tuesday, is expected to be available on Thursday.

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/202 ... ond-return

[lakerevolution]

Another gut-check-turn-momma's-picture-to-the-wall type of scrapple. These are no longer "practice season" scrimmages -- these are GAMES. Like a farmer in early spring (or a future father of nine) SEEDING HAS BEGUN so it's clutch your gonads time in Laker Land . . grab your favorite weapon brace yourself accordingly and get ready to go to war with this Assoc. we like to call the Logo League. Despite the sentimental rumors, Kobe won't be taking over that Insignia anytime soon, but as long as we remember Mamba we'll be ok.

[lakerevolution]

KCP balled out and Mr Drummond (who I shall henceforth refer to as "Diff'rent Strokes ) had a nice dub-dub but without Kuz and THT we just didn't have the necessary pieces to stop Jimmy's crew. Damn. Hate losing these close winnables.

[3Peatkb24]

Another gut-check-turn-momma's-picture-to-the-wall type of scrapple. These are no longer "practice season" scrimmages -- these are GAMES. Like a farmer in early spring (or a future father of nine) SEEDING HAS BEGUN so it's clutch your gonads time in Laker Land . . grab your favorite weapon brace yourself accordingly and get ready to go to war with this Assoc. we like to call the Logo League. Despite the sentimental rumors, Kobe won't be taking over that Insignia anytime soon, but as long as we remember Mamba we'll be ok.

Tough one tonight but expected, Miami had their full roster healthy including Oladipo who scored 18 points for them. Butler had his usual big game as well and Kuzma was out. We have held our own somewhat without our Big2 over the last 3 weeks in reality, playing near .500 ball. The standings don't really matter much as we will make the playoffs regardless. Getting everyone back and healthy are the keys. I would prefer not to play Utah in the 1st round but it could happen? They are really the only team that scares me in the West if we are rusty and not completely healthy.