Lakers Beat Heat in Game 4 of the N.B.A. Finals https://t.co/0Be9h59hRB
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 7, 2020
As the longest, craziest and most challenging season in league history shifts toward a merciful conclusion, the bubble at Walt Disney World has morphed into a cage match for the N.B.A. finals. The Lakers and the Heat are wearing one another down until a champion emerges.
The physical toll of the season — and the series itself — was on display before, during and after the Lakers’ 102-96 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
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It was evident during pregame warm-ups, as the Heat’s two injured stars — Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic — tested themselves to see if they could play. Adebayo was in the starting lineup with a strained neck, while Dragic appeared emotional on the bench, a torn ligament in his left foot sidelining him for the third straight game.
As for the game itself, neither team cluttered the evening with artistry or finesse. James committed five turnovers in the first half. The Lakers shot just 44.3 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from 3-point range for the game. And after sinking his first five field-goal attempts, the Heat’s Jimmy Butler shot 3 of 12 the rest of the way — often while being defended by Davis.
It was definitely a cage match and the Lakers won it.