LA Lakers vs Miami Heat (2020 NBA Finals, Game 4)

[Tanzi Wallis]

With 40 seconds left in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Anthony Davis took a deep 3-pointer. It was precisely the kind of shot the Miami Heat wanted him to take, but he fired it with confidence, just like he did when he broke the Denver Nuggets' hearts in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. When it fell through the net, the Los Angeles Lakers had a nine-point lead, which they would not relinquish.



The 102-96 victory on Tuesday puts the Lakers one win away from a championship. LeBron James repeatedly targeted Miami's weaker defenders in pick-and-rolls and finished with 28 points on 8-for-16 shooting, plus 12 rebounds and eight assists. Davis had 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting, with nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including a crucial layup late in the fourth quarter.



Los Angeles took a 3-1 lead despite the return of Bam Adebayo. The Heat center had 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and seven rebounds in 33 minutes in his first game back from a neck injury. Jimmy Butler had 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, with eight assists, ten rebounds and three steals.



 Miami was down by two points with three minutes left, then Butler missed a 3 and Caldwell-Pope hit a 3 in transition. The Heat shot 11-for-32 from 3-point range, and will lament several of its misfires.


Game 5 is Friday.

[terrycrash]

For sure, it will be 3-2. Miami will win on Friday.

[Tanzi Wallis]

"How the Heat force a Game 6

The Heat desperately need somebody to help Butler on offense -- especially if he sees James and Davis as much as he did throughout Game 4. If Goran Dragic remains out with a foot injury suffered in Game 1 -- the onus might fall on Kendrick Nunn. The rookie guard was just 2-for-11 from the field and missed several open looks in Game 4. Jae Crowder also needs to stretch the floor by knocking down a few early 3-pointers.

In the end, the Heat might only go as far as Butler carries them -- especially with Adebayo still limited because of a neck injury that caused the All-Star big man to miss Games 2 and 3.

Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson have the shooting prowess to help swing Game 5, but to extend the series, Butler must put this group on his back down the stretch like he did in Miami's Game 3 victory. If the final few minutes of Tuesday's Game 4 are any indication, look for James to see even more time on Butler if the contest is close in the waning moments."