Even with Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers have always struggled against the mighty Miami Heat in recent meetings between the two storied franchises. On Friday (Australia time), the Hollywood team, without their leader who is still out because of an injury, is a 12-point underdog against the Florida squad looking to build a winning streak after struggling in the last two weeks.

The Lakers struggles this season have come, expectedly on the defensive end. They are one of the worst in stopping the opposition allowing 105.8 points per game or 29th worst in the entire league. That spells trouble for L.A. against a Miami team which averages 104.0 PPG or 8th best scoring offense in the NBA.

The Lakers are 3-7 in thier last 10 outings. And two of those wins came against lowly and lottery-bound squads Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics.

More bad news for the Lakers: the Heat have won three of their last four after a season-low three-game skid against the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards. LeBron James and the rest of the Heat responded with wins over the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Bobcats and Celtics—all lowly teams but enough to get them back in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.

Lakers big man Pau Gasol is coming off perhaps his best all-around game of the season finishing with 20 points, 19 rebounds and 5 blocked shots in a 102-100 OT loss to the Chicago Bulls last Monday. Nick Young led all scorers with 31 points in the sorry loss off a buzzer-beater by the Bulls' Taj Gibson.

The Heat cruised to a 101-95 victory when these teams met on Christmas Day winning the game but failing to cover the 7.5 spread. Miami's Big Three was efficient for that game as James finished with 19 points (7-of-14 FGs) and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade top-scored with 23 points each (20-of-35 FGs combined).

Miami has won three consecutive games versus the Lakers and have taken seven of the last eight meetings.

Watch the Lakers and Heat via NBA League Pass.

Betting Lines: Los Angeles Lakers ( 12) vs. Miami Heat (O/U: 209.0)
 Game time: 11:00 a.m. AEDT

Los Angeles Lakers Trends
 - The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on the road
- The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. East teams

Miami Heat Trends
 - The Heat are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games
- The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games at home
- The Heat are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. the Lakers