NBA Finals 2020: Odds, TV Info, Live-Stream Schedule for Heat vs. Lakers

LeBron James will battle his former team when the Los Angeles Lakers meet the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals.

While the Lakers are seeking their first championship in 10 years, Miami is aiming to end a seven-year gap between titles. LeBron raised two banners with the Heat, winning the NBA Finals in 2012 and 2013 with losses in 2011 and 2014.

Los Angeles is the heavy favorite for the series, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday evening.

B/R has collected all the information you need to know, including the schedule, TV listings, streaming options, odds and more.

2020 NBA Finals Schedule

Game 1: Wednesday, Sep. 30; 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 2: Friday, Oct. 2; 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 4; 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 6; 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 9; 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 11; 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 13; 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Live stream available via Watch ESPN.

2020 NBA Finals Odds

Lakers: -370 (bet $370 to win $100)

Heat: +250 (bet $100 to win $250)

Odds from FanDuel.

Rapid Turnaround Rare for NBA Finals

One season ago, the Golden State Warriors wrapped up their spot in the championship round 10 days before it started, while the Toronto Raptors had five days to prepare for the NBA Finals.

This year, however, the Lakers and Heat are looking at four and three, respectively, to get ready.

"I tell you, it's going to be brutalizing for our video staff," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Spoelstra's climb up the coaching ladder included two years as a video assistant, so he knows firsthand about the long nights cutting film. But that preparation is crucial as both teams study an opponent they faced only twice in the regular season.

Although the Lakers won both contests, those matchups happened last November and December. Yes, the experience and knowledge gained in those games is valuable. But after this bizarre year, that basically feels like a decade ago at this point.

Right now, the bigger storyline is maximizing prep time.

Los Angeles had an extra day to celebrate—and did exactly that—but coach Frank Vogel noted the team quickly refocused.

"We appropriately had fun with it that night, enjoyed it that night," he said, per Reynolds. "And then the next day, it's time to move on to the next … and now it's all business."

Miami, meanwhile, has shifted its focus to LeBron.

"The main key, and it's been like this for a very long time, if you want to win, you're going to have to go through a LeBron James-led team," Heat star Jimmy Butler said, per ESPN's Nick Friedell.

Prior to the 2019 NBA Finals—a season win which LeBron and the Lakers missed the playoffs—James had reached the championship round in eight straight years. This is his 10th career trip to the NBA Finals, and he's seeking a fourth ring. It's also Anthony Davis' first shot at winning a championship.

While that pursuit starts Wednesday night, a scrappy, deeper Miami team presents a big challenge even as underdogs.

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.