LA Lakers who took a decisive 3-1 lead over Miami Heat in the 7-game NBA Finals on the back of their narrow win in Game 4 over the Eastern Conference Champions would look to close out the finals and seal yet another title in the most coveted basketball league when the two teams meet in Game 5 on Saturday morning (October 10).
LA Lakers came back strongly in Game 4 to once again take a definitive lead after Miami Heat won the third game (115-104) of the finals played earlier on Oct 3 and kept the series alive.
LEBRON JAMES SCORES 28 POINTS TO SPEARHEAD LA LAKERS WIN
Lebron James overcame a sluggish start to spearhead Lakers win by racking up 28 points, 8 assists and 12 rebounds. Anthony Davis played his hand in slender victory by scoring 22 points. Meanwhile Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 15.
JIMMY BUTLER CONTINUES TO BE THE SHOW STOPPER FOR MIAMI HEAT
Jimmy Butler was once again the star performer for the Miami Heat with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Tyler Herro added 21 points and Duncan Robinson ended the match with 17.
Bam Adebayo who returned after missing the two games with a neck/shoulder injury scored 15 points but Goran Dragic (foot) remained sidelined.
“Felt like a finals game. Felt like both teams were desperate ... and that’s what it’s all about.”, Lebron James said post guiding his team to a hard fought win.
"I just loved seeing our guys compete. I love how they respond in between those four lines," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "This was a throwback game and there were some moments of truth there at the end, and probably the bottom line is they won those moments of truth."
"Like I always say, they’re a really, really, really good team and we’ve got to play damn near perfect to beat them. We didn’t do that tonight. … We’ll watch this, learn from it, but we can’t lose another one.", Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler said after the game.
Here are some of the top reactions on social media over LA Lakers win by leading basketball players and former greats of the sport