The Los Angeles Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena today to begin a five-game home stand, beginning with a Wednesday night showdown with the Miami Heat.
The Lakers are coming off consecutive losses and hope to open 2024 better than they ended 2023. The Heat are in the midst of a West Coast road trip after games against the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.
Miami lost its past two games and remains in LA to take on the Lakers before heading to Phoenix.
Miami could be without Jimmy Butler again after the star guard missed Monday night's loss to the Clippers with a foot injury. The Lakers should have their top players healthy for Wednesday's match, though guards Cam Reddish (groin), Gabe Vincent (knee) and D'Angelo Russell (tailbone) are all day-to-day.
Los Angeles has lost seven of its past 10 games after allowing 119.9 points per contest over that stretch. Miami, meanwhile, is 6-4 in its past 10 games averaging 114.0 points and allowing 112.8 points per game.
The battle in the paint will be the matchup to watch if Butler doesn't play. Lakers center Anthony Davis has averaged 25.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game over Los Angeles' past 10, while Heat center Bam Adebayo has averaged 22.0 points and 10.4 rebounds during that same stretch of games for Miami.
LeBron James will always be the focal point so long as he's in the game, though, as he's averaged 20.6 points per game in his past 10 and put up 34 in the Lakers' Dec. 31 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
This is the second time these teams have faced each other this season. The Heat won the last game on Nov. 7 in a tight, 108-107 contest. Butler led Miami with 28 points with Adebayo and Tyler Herro adding 22 apiece. James scored 30 points for Los Angeles with Austin Reaves adding 23.
Here is a complete guide to watching Lakers vs. Heat, including the start time, TV schedule and live stream information for the Wednesday night NBA game.
What channel is Lakers vs. Heat on today?
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live streaming: Sling
Lakers vs. Heat will air on ESPN.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at just $20 for your first month, or you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at $27.50 for your first month. There are no long-term contracts, and you can change your channel lineup anytime. DVR is included along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.
Lakers vs. Heat start time
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024
- Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
Lakers vs. Heat will tip off around 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The game will be played at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This is one of 12 NBA games on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Lakers schedule 2023-24
Here are the Lakers' next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | vs. Heat | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Grizzlies | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 7 | vs. Clippers | 9:30 p.m. | Spectrum SportsNet |
| Jan. 9 | vs. Raptors | 10:30 p.m. | Spectrum SportsNet |
| Jan. 11 | vs. Suns | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Miami Heat schedule 2023-24
Here are the Heat's next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 5 | at Suns | 9 p.m. | Bally Sports Sun |
| Jan. 8 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. | AT&T SportsNet Southwest |
| Jan. 10 | vs. Thunder | 7:30 p.m. | Bally Sports Southwest |
| Jan. 12 | vs. Magic | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports Sun |
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