Lakers and Heat Meet in Marquee Matchup
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on Friday night.

The Lakers (22-3) boast a record that underscores how dominant they've been through their first 25 games, and fittingly, they'll come into Friday's contest having won five consecutive games. Their most recent victory came Wednesday night, when they bested the Los Angeles Lakers by a 96-87 score. LeBron James led the Lakers with a 25-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that also included two steals. Anthony Davis posted 16 points, 12 boards, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 15 points.

The Lakers will list Anthony Davis (shoulder) and Avery Bradley (leg) as probable for Friday's game. Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle) will be listed as questionable.

The Heat (18-6) continue to surprise as one of the most complete teams in the Eastern Conference, and they'll come into this showdown against their former superstar teammate LeBron having notched six victories in their last seven games. Their most recent triumph was a memorable one, as they managed a 135-121 overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, a game in which they forced the extra period with a 16-10 run over the final 7:06. Kendrick Nunn led the Heat with 36 points and complemented them with six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Duncan Robinson followed with a career-high 34 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds and one block. Bam Adebayo generated a 30-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double. Jimmy Butler totaled 20 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists.

The Heat will continue to be without Goran Dragic (groin), Justise Winslow (back) and Dion Waiters (illness) on Friday. Tyler Herro (illness) will be listed as questionable.

Friday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 95-80 win back on Nov. 8.
Posted on: 12/12/2019 7:13 PM