Playoffs Day 41 As Miami Forces A Game 6! 10.9.20
It’s Day 41 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs between the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers.
Miami Heat
The Heat won Game 5 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Heat’s chances at keeping their season alive were very low. Goran Dragic would miss Game 5 and the Heat had lost any sort of momentum from their Game 3 win. They needed a miracle to extend this series, and it was answered. Jimmy Butler had 22 points in the first half as Miami led by 4 at halftime. The Heat led by 6 entering the 4th as they were in full control. They took a 11-point lead early in the 4th, but the Lakers stormed back. A KCP 3 gave them the lead with just over 6 minutes left. With under a minute left, the Heat trailed by 1. But Jimmy Butler hit 2/2 free throws to give them a 107-106 lead with 46.7 seconds left. AD scored with 22 seconds left, and the Heat needed a score for the win. And they went to Butler, who was fouled with 17 seconds left. Butler hit 2/2 free throws and the Heat led 109-108. On the Lakers possession, Danny Green missed a wide open 3 and Markieff Morris threw is out of bounds. Tyler Herro hit 2/2 free throws and the Heat hung on to win 111-108, trailed 3-2 in the series.
Offensively the Heat were good as they shot 46% from the field and 42% from 3. Miami was also 21/22 from the free throw line. The Heat turned it over 13 times. The Heat also had 34 points in the paint.
Defensively the Heat were poor as LA shot 46% from the field and 37% from 3. LA was also 18/21 from the free throw line. Miami allowed 12 offensive rebounds. The Heat forced 15 turnovers. The Heat also allowed 42 points down low.
Jimmy Butler had 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Duncan Robinson had 26 points and 5 rebounds. Kendrick Nunn had 14 points off the bench. Tyler Herro, Jae Crowder, and Bam Adebayo were also in double figures.
Conclusion
Jimmy Butler had another great performance as he willed Miami to another win. Duncan Robinson hot some big shots and this Heat team continues to find ways to win. They survived the Lakers late as Butler and Herro hit some big free throws. Now the Heat again have some momentum heading into Game 6, now can they force a Game 7?
LA Lakers
The Lakers lost Game 5 against the Heat. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Lakers have by and large controlled this series as they were one game away from winning a title. In their Mamba jerseys, all signs pointed to a Lakers win and title. Yeah, that didn’t happen. The Lakers were caught off guard as Miami led for most of the first half behind 22 points from Jimmy Butler. The Lakers couldn’t dent the lead in the 3rd, and things started to turn south in the 4th. The Lakers trailed by double digits early, and the game looked like a wash. But the Lakers fought back, taking a lead with about 6 minutes left. With just under a minute left, Lebron James gave the Lakers a 106-105 lead. But Jimmy Butler got the lead right back at the line. AD scored with 22 seconds left to give the Lakers a lead, but Jimmy Butler hit free throws again to give the Heat a 109-108 lead with 17 seconds left. And on the final possession, Lebron passed. Danny Green missed the wide-open dagger 3 and the Lakers threw it out of bounds. Tyler Herro iced the game at the line and LA lost 111-108.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 46% from the field and 37% from 3. LA was also 18/21 from the free throw line. The Lakers had 12 offensive rebounds. LA had 15 turnovers. LA also had 42 points in the paint.
Defensively the Lakers were poor as Miami shot 46% from the field and 42% from 3. Miami was also 21/22 from the free throw line. LA forced 13 turnovers. The Lakers allowed 34 points in the paint.
Lebron James had 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. AD had 28 points and 12 rebounds. KCP added 16 points.
Conclusion
The Lakers needed to win this game and put the Heat away, and they couldn’t Lebron was special all night long but made the mistake of passing to Danny Green. Sure he was open, but Danny Green has been terrible and it was Lebron’s shot to take to win the game. KCP was good, but the Lakers didn’t get much help. They let Duncan Robinson run loose, and now they enter some shady territory by giving the Heat life. The Lakers certainly don’t want to play in a Game 7 and close this out in 6 games.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 41 of the NBA Playoffs? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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