Matchup –
It’s the Miami Heat representing the east and the Los Angeles Lakers from the west meeting in the NBA Finals for the first time. Both teams dominated during the playoffs going 12 – 3. They played twice during the regular season before it was postponed and the Lakers won both games. L.A. is in the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2009-10 season, which was its last NBA championship. Miami is in the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2013-14 season, which was Lakers forward LeBron James’ final season with the Heat. They didn’t win that year, but they did win two championships while James was in South Beach.
Game Plan –
The Lakers have a dynamic duo in All-NBA First Team players Anthony Davis and LeBron James. They averaged 28.8 and 26.7 points respectively and combined to score almost half of LA’s points in the playoffs. They are the only players on the Lakers averaging more than 11 points per game. On the other side, the Heat’s game is focused on getting all players involved. Six of their players averaged 11 points or more in the playoffs. Goran Dragic (20.9), Jimmy Butler (20.7), Bam Adebayo (18.5), Tyler Herro (16.5), Jae Crowder (12.3) and Duncan Robinson (11.3)
Trophy Count –
The Los Angeles Lakers have 16 NBA Championships. (That’s if you include their wins in Minnesota when they were actually surrounded by a bunch of lakes.) They are one behind the Boston Celtics who have the most at 17. In the current century the Lakers have five to the Celtics one. Winning this series will make L.A. equal with their east coast rival overall.
King James –
LeBron James is in his 10th NBA Finals. Only three other players have accomplished this, Bill Russell (12), Sam Jones (11) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10). The L.A. Lakers is the third team that he has led to the Finals. King James is looking to get his fourth ring against his former team, the Miami Heat whom he won two championships with. He also won one with the Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA Finals start tonight at 9 pm ET on ABC. Full schedule.
Game On,
Shavannia
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