The Los Angeles Lakers can close out the NBA Finals and create another legacy with a win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight inside the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

These Lakers are one win away from history, immortality and for James – one more plank in his campaign to be the NBA’s GOAT. For the Lakers, a 2020 that began with the death of Kobe Bryant is now 48 minutes away from being bookended by the franchise’s 17th championship. That would tie the Lakers with the Boston Celtics for the most rings in league history.

James would also become the first player in NBA history to win titles for three different teams. For bettors, this NBA Finals have been a toss-up, with each team covering twice against the spread in the first four games.

RELATED: Check out our NBA expert picks for Friday’s game

NBA Finals Game 5 Betting Odds

Here are the odds for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers are a seven-point favorite at most online books moving toward tonight’s tip, including at BetMGM. The Lakers are -319 at PointsBet, while the Heat are fetching +265 at bet365 for moneyline bettors.

The over/under for total points for Game 5 of the NBA Finals is 216 at William Hill and FanDuel. Bettors can get complete up-to-the-minute Lakers-Heat Game 5 NBA Finals odds here.

Fans of NBA betting should second-screen the live action on the Bookies.com-sponsored #NBACast. It is hosted by NBA experts Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux. The #NBACast offers breakout stats, live analysis and — as always — Duncan and Leroux take your in-game questions during breaks in the action. Play begins at approximately 9 p.m. ET. The game will also air on ABC.

Follow the Lakers-Heat Game 5 NBA Finals #NBACast on YouTube, via Twitch or on Twitter/Periscope at @NateDuncanNBA.

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Prop & Futures Bets For Lakers, Heat

In NBA futures markets, the Lakers are still a substantial favorite to win this series and the championship. Los Angeles sits at -10000 to win the series at DraftKings, while the Heat should fetch a few wagers +2200. There is no longer much suspense in the race to win NBA Finals MVP honors. James is -800 at FanDuel. Davis has slipped back to +600 at DraftKings, while Butler has slid down to +2300 at the same site.

Looking ahead, the Lakers are +350 to win the 2021 NBA Championship at DraftKings, while the Clippers – who don’t have a head coach at the moment – are +400. The Bucks follow at +500, and the Heat are +900.

Will the Lakers Close It Out In Game 5?

Jimmy Butler has been playing at stellar level throughout the series. His 40-point triple-double in Game 3 was a template for what the Heat need to do Friday night, and again two more times, in order to become only the second team ever to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

Butler no longer has the luxury to pass on shots like he did in Game 4, but he will be smothered by Anthony Davis & Co. again in Game 5. Butler cannot beat the Lakers alone four times in a seven-game series. He needs help from the likes of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

However, the Lakers appear to have been on destiny’s timetable since the death of Bryant. They will be wearing their Black Mamba jerseys again in Game 5. James signed with the Lakers two years ago exactly for an opportunity like the one presented in Game 5. To win a championship after Bryant’s death, a four-month break in the season and the tumult of 2020 will be an undeniable moment.

The success of the NBA Bubble is a parallel story. There has not been a single player test positive for COVID-19 since August. That the league actually pulled this off deserves both praise and emulation by other organizations inside and outside sport to demonstrate how to survive and thrive in a pandemic. Of course, it wasn’t cheap. It cost the NBA an estimated $150 million to set up and execute it’s Bubble plan.