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Advanced Scout: Miami Heat Take On A Revamped Lakers Roster

By Stephanie Meadows

Oct 30, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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This is Advanced Scout. Every Sunday here at All U Can Heat, we’ll take a look at the upcoming week’s schedule and scout the Miami Heat’s opponents. We’ll discuss the biggest storyline, toughest matchup, and depth chart for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks.

Monday, Nov. 6 vs Los Angeles Lakers

Biggest storyline:

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have quiet confidence in them at the beginning of this 2023-24 season after not being successful in the playoffs last year. Their roster has a lot of depth and versatility, ​​with a majority of the main members from the 2023 Western Conference finals returning.

They extended the contracts of Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt and brought back Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell. Additionally, they have made understated yet impactful improvements to their rotation by adding players like Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, and Christian Wood. The performance of the Laker’s key players and Davis’ shooting ability are crucial factors in determining how successful this Lakers team can be.

Toughest matchup:  LeBron James is the obvious choice. James had a masterful 42-minute performance in Wednesday’s 130-125 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers with 35 points (13-19 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-10 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal. Bam Adebayo has mentioned James being one of the toughest to guard across the league, and that should not come as a surprise. Adebayo’s ability to be versatile on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter sets him apart from other centers in the NBA. However, as James is one of the most gifted and versatile players as well, Bam will have to play on his strengths and be physical out on the perimeter fronting LeBron in the post.

In addition to James and the Lakers’ principal players’ health, another crucial factor lies in Anthony Davis, and his ability to make jump shots. While his performance from the perimeter has not been on par with the 2019-20 season, there’s speculation that Davis has regained his shooting prowess. Although he has downplayed the significance of such rumors, emphasizing that it only matters if it translates into actual game performance. If Davis can replicate his shooting form from the 2019-20 season, the Heat will need to match the Laker’s shooting, which is achievable with the Heat’s roster of skilled shooters such as Duncan Robinson, Haywood, Highsmith, and Tyler Herro.

Depth chart:

PG: D’Angelo Russell / Austin Reeves (Gabe Vincent is out)

SG: Austin Reeves / D’Angelo Russell

SF: Cam Reddish (Taurean Prince is out)

PF: LeBron James / Anthony Davis (Jarred Vanderbilt is out)

C: Anthony Davis / Christian Wood

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