10-07-2020, 09:28 AM
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.
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.