Latest @BleacherReport B/R Staff: How Los Angeles Lakers Can Win 2020 NBA Finals w/the B/R staff – I write on the Bam/Dwight matchup https://t.co/NDSl8a49sC
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) September 29, 2020
The Battle with Bam Adebayo
The Heat do not present tremendous depth in their frontcourt, but they do have an All-Star to go toe-to-toe against Anthony Davis. Bam Adebayo will need to carry a heavy load, both offensively and defensively.
The Lakers have the luxury of multiple big men, freeing Davis from the responsibility of banging with Adebayo all series. JaVale McGee offers length and athleticism. Markieff Morris isn’t as tall but is tough and helps L.A. stretch the floor with his outside shot. But the key to the series could be Dwight Howard, who was vital in the Lakers’ Western Conference Finals win over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel will need to work his rotation to maximize Howard’s minutes by mirroring Adebayo’s. That might mean starting Howard over McGee, or McGee could open each half to give Howard a little more freedom to play hard without worrying about fouls.
If L.A. can neutralize Adebayo’s offensive impact with Howard while matching his physical toughness, Davis will be able to put more energy into carrying the offensive load and helping others defensively.
Miami will have a lot to handle in LeBron James, but Davis may be the key to the series for the Lakers, and that may hinge on how Howard fares versus Adebayo.
—Eric Pincus
Good to see Pincus also sees Dwight Howard as the key against Bam Adebayo and the Lakers winning the Finals. Also good to see that he’s in favor of starting Dwight over JaVale despite his earlier hunch that Vogel might revert to starting McGee.