The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Miami Heat in their opening game of 2024 as they attempted to get back on track following a difficult conclusion to 2023.

Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin were absent from the Heat, while D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura were out for the Lakers. The Heat ultimately prevailed, defeating the Lakers 110-96 to knock them below.500 at 17–18.

After making a comeback to the Los Angeles starting lineup, Austin Reaves made an immediate impression by dishing a nice throw to LeBron James for a layup and then making a midrange shot of his own. Despite this, the Lakers started the game slowly as Kyle Lowry scored five points in a row to give the Heat a 12-point advantage going into the first half.

After the break, things didn’t get any better as the Lakers kept giving the ball away pointlessly. Tyler Herro took advantage of this by scoring six points in a row to give the Heat a double-digit lead.

Not only did the Lakers commit turnovers, but they also showed extreme coldness early in the first quarter. Fortunately, the Heat also had trouble, and entering the second quarter, Los Angeles’ deficit stood at 25–18.

In the midst of the second quarter, Max Christie made his first triple for the Lakers, while Josh Richardson answered for Miami. Otherwise, the terrible basketball game carried over into the second half, with neither team able to muster a point.

Interestingly, Christie was the only Laker with any offensive rhythm at all, scoring five points in a row at one point. Following a quiet first quarter, Anthony Davis also started going inside. Though not particularly nice, the half ended, and the Lakers trailed 53-45 as they entered the locker room.

James started the third quarter with four straight points after scoring only four in the first half. However, the Heat started to heat up from below, which helped them hold onto their lead of about ten.

The Lakers didn’t get close until the very end of the third quarter, when Christie scored a huge basket off Bam Adebayo, and Davis then worked to cut the deficit to three points on both ends of the court.

The Lakers finally trailed 72-67 entering the fourth quarter and were having serious trouble making outside shots. In light of this, the Heat increased their lead to 10 early in the fourth quarter.

To keep his team in it, Davis kept doing his hardest, including another huge dunk. Regretfully, though, the Heat were able to secure the win despite his lack of offensive support, as they kept making difficult shots.