The Lakers are one win away from becoming the NBA champions whiles a win for Miami Heat will go along way to save their post season run.
A win in game five will see them achieving their 17th NBA championship that will equal arch rivals, Boston Celtics.
With 52 wins to 19 defeats during the regular season that gave them a lift up in the performance of last season’s 37-45, that did not help them to secure a place in the playoffs that was an eventually won by Toronto Raptors team led by Kwahi Leonard.
On the other side, Miami Heat – 44-29, fifth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The Heat team is chasing after their 4th Larry O’Brien trophy under the Pat Riley and Erik Spolstra.
The last time they won the NBA championship, Lebron James was an integral member of that Miami Heat with players like Chris Bosh and Wade in the 2012-13 playoffs season.
In the Bubble, the Lakers are synonymous with 4-1 in all their 3 series games against Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, Houston Rockets with their small ball plays and two former MVPs (Harden and Westbrook) too were defeated 4-1, in the Western Conference finals against Denver Nuggets with their young core players and great comeback mentality, Lakers won it in 5 games with a savior shot from Anthony Davis in Game 2.
Miami Heat with its core super stars like Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo were able to defeat teams like Orlando Magic (it’s a sweep; 4-0), second round tough clash with Milwaukee Bucks team led by the former and reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was another victory for the Heat with the help of their supporting cast of Jae Crowder, Andre Iguoadala, Tyler Herro. Eastern Conference finals win against the most decorated team in the NBA, Boston Celtics.
HINTS:
Team Stats in Going to Game 5
Lakers will wear their black jersey. Lakers are yet to lose in the Mamba kit in the ongoing playoffs. The Lakers have gone 4-0 in the black jersey. Mamba Mentality is in the fabric of Los Angeles.
Released in 2017 as a part of Nike’s “Lore Series,” and co-designed by Kobe Bryant, the ‘Black Mamba’ inspired Lakers City Edition uniform makes it return.
What To Do Right In Game 5:
Lakers:
- Cut off on turnovers
- Defend their paint well to shorten Free Throws to Miami
- Heat
- Effective and productive plays from their role players
Heat:
- Miami must rebound the ball better in Game 5
- They should manage the game in both ends within the paint
- They should patrol the perimeter with much athleticism and versatile roles.
Who wins the FMVP?
LeBron James, Anthony Davis or Jimmy Butler?
James is averaging 27.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game, with Davis adding 25.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and elite defense.
Jimmy Butler averaged 22.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 19 games in the 2020 NBA playoffs
By Barimah K. O. D
