Lakers Face Tall Odds With LeBron James Questionable Against Scorching Miami Heat

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to host the Miami Heat on Wednesday, January 4 at the Crypto.com Arena with one of the teams expected to see their two-game-winning streak come to an end.

On paper, the Heat seems to hold an advantage with most of their key players expected to suit up.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the Lakers who are already without star big man Anthony Davis.

LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have been listed as questionable, something that will force the hand of head coach Darvin Ham to turn to other players to step up.

The Wednesday matchup will be the second and final between the two NBA clubs.

In their first meeting, the Heat won handily over the purple and gold, 112-98.

Miami will be looking to sweep the season series with the Lakers, for only the second time in three seasons.

James is still dealing with ankle soreness although he managed to still play and lead the Lakers to a 121-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

He finished the game with a double-double of 43 points and 11 rebounds, while Thomas Bryant backed up the 38-year-old star with 18 points and 15 caroms.

As for the Heat, they are still on a high after downing the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, 110-100.

Bam Adebayo led Miami with 31 points and 13 rebounds, whereas Tyler Herro added 23 points and seven boards.

A key player to watch for the Heat is Jimmy Butler.

Against the Clips, he finished with only nine points and six assists in 32 minutes of action.

However, the 33-year-old All-Star did admit that he is not at 100% health as he continues to deal with knee soreness.

"We just got to maintain this thing and take care of it," Butler said. "I mean, it's part of the game, but I want to be right, I want to be a hundred, so I can go out there and do what I'm supposed to do."

But even without Butler, the Heat already looks formidable if James and Westbrook do not suit up.

Westbrook has been listed as probable due to left foot soreness and did not see action in the second half against the Hornets.

Lonnie Walker IV is also listed as questionable due to left knee soreness.

The Heat are favored to come out victorious and hold a -3.5 spread with the Lakers at +3.5 per oddsshark.com.

The game can be viewed via ESPN and will also be live-streamed via fuboTV.