THE BUBBLE — Before the series started I said that if a boy didn’t show up with five smooth stones and a slingshot. There would be nothing that the Miami Heat could do with that Philistine. LeBron James, in his 17th season, led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 102-96 Game 4 win to take a commanding 3-1 lead in these NBA Finals.
The Lakers are now one win away from winning their 17th NBA championship. Finishing with a game high 25 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, LeBron felt the pressure of it being a must win game.
I felt that vibe. I felt that pressure,” James said. “I felt like, for me personally, this was one of the biggest games of my career.”
With Anthony Davis on the struggle bus since Game 2, LeBron understands what being consistent is all about. After all, this is his 10th NBA Finals appearance in 17 years. That means that for 58 percent of his playing career he’s played for a championship. This is Anthony Davis’ first time playing on the big stage and it can understandably get to be overwhelming.
AD did however, step his game up in the second half finishing with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Ole boy knocked down a huge 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left to put the Heat away.
“Big-time play. Big-time moment,” James said of Davis’ 3-pointer. “Not only for A.D., but for our ballclub and for our franchise.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 15 points as Danny Green dropped off 10 to help the Lakers got up 3-1.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 22 points as LeBron and Co. kept him from exploding again. He was 0-3 from downtown and had to scrap to get everything he got. The rookie Tyler Herro came through with 21 points as Duncan Robinson dropped off 17. Bam Adebayo had a solid 15 after missing Games 2 and 3 with a shoulder injury.
The Lakers led after three quarters and didn’t trail at all during the final 20-plus minutes. They are now 56-0 when leading after three quarters.
At this point it’s all a matter of formality. In the history of the NBA this is the 36th-time that a team has led 3-1. Of the previous 34 times the team with the lead in the series has gone on to win. The only other time they didn’t win was when that Philistine led BOTH teams in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals while in Cleveland to beat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
Well playas, the Miami Heat don’t have the Philistine anymore so they’re out of luck. Game 5 is Friday.