Lakers Aim For Third Straight Win Over Heat
The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Miami Heat on Sunday at Orlando in Game of the 2020 NBA Finals. The Lakers hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
The Lakers have taken full advantage of the fact that the Heat have been depleted to do what they do best -- let LeBron James and Anthony Davis dominate, while the rest of the supporting cast contributes on different levels on a game-to-game basis. James has flirted with a triple-double in each of the first two games of the Finals, and he delivered 33 points (14-25 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-5 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, a steal and a block in 39 minutes during Friday's 124-114 win. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis chipped in with 32 points and the star big man has scored 30 or more points in five of his last seven games. Rajon Rondo has offered valuable contributions as a playmaker, Dwight Howard's defense has been excellent, and it's been hard to find any cracks on the Lakers so far. They seem to be in commanding control of the series and are just two wins away from winning a new title.
Avery Bradley is out for the season after he opted out of playing in Orlando earlier this year, but the rest of the team is at full strength.
The Heat have tried to put up a fight and has done it at times on the first two games of the series, but it hasn't been enough. Miami have not been able to show the same defensive intensity that allowed them to get past the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics in the playoffs, and they've been struggling to cope with the Lakers -- particularly with Anthony Davis on the defensive end. Jimmy Butler has done everything he can and then some to carry the offense, but he can't do everything on his own -- especially after suffering what appeared to be a severe ankle sprain in Game 1. Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn have also offered decent offensive contributions, but the two young guards have lacked consistency on a game-to-game basis.
As if that wasn't enough for Miami, Goran Dragic is not likely to play in Game 3 due to a torn plantar fascia that already forced him to miss Game 2. Bam Adebayo, who also missed Game 2 with a neck problem, is questionable and will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday.
The Lakers have taken full advantage of the fact that the Heat have been depleted to do what they do best -- let LeBron James and Anthony Davis dominate, while the rest of the supporting cast contributes on different levels on a game-to-game basis. James has flirted with a triple-double in each of the first two games of the Finals, and he delivered 33 points (14-25 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-5 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, a steal and a block in 39 minutes during Friday's 124-114 win. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis chipped in with 32 points and the star big man has scored 30 or more points in five of his last seven games. Rajon Rondo has offered valuable contributions as a playmaker, Dwight Howard's defense has been excellent, and it's been hard to find any cracks on the Lakers so far. They seem to be in commanding control of the series and are just two wins away from winning a new title.
Avery Bradley is out for the season after he opted out of playing in Orlando earlier this year, but the rest of the team is at full strength.
The Heat have tried to put up a fight and has done it at times on the first two games of the series, but it hasn't been enough. Miami have not been able to show the same defensive intensity that allowed them to get past the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics in the playoffs, and they've been struggling to cope with the Lakers -- particularly with Anthony Davis on the defensive end. Jimmy Butler has done everything he can and then some to carry the offense, but he can't do everything on his own -- especially after suffering what appeared to be a severe ankle sprain in Game 1. Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn have also offered decent offensive contributions, but the two young guards have lacked consistency on a game-to-game basis.
As if that wasn't enough for Miami, Goran Dragic is not likely to play in Game 3 due to a torn plantar fascia that already forced him to miss Game 2. Bam Adebayo, who also missed Game 2 with a neck problem, is questionable and will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday.