Miami Heat president Pat Riley praised the Lakers’ title win but equally used the word “asterisk” when describing their six-game Finals victory – wondering what would have happened, had they been fortunate enough to utilise an injury-free roster during the series. Bam Adebayo (shoulder, neck) and Goran Dragic (torn plantar fascia) were sidelined, missing key minutes. Continue reading
Category: NBA
NBA Finals – Heat 93-106 Lakers: LeBron key as LA cruise to 17th franchise trophy
Finals MVP LeBron James recorded yet another decisive triple-double en route to earning his fourth NBA title as the Los Angeles Lakers were dominant during their 13-point Game 6 win vs. the Miami Heat overnight – a side packed with plenty of promise but ultimately falling short. Continue reading
NBA Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers – Title still in sight
After spoiling the Lakers’ championship coronation party in Game 5, Miami Heat hope to level the series at 3-3 during another elimination game here. LA are 48 minutes from their first NBA title since 2010 and a frenetic end to Friday’s loss will have posed questions – can they conclude the year here against a determined side hamstrung by injuries? Can LeBron James elevate his teammates again en route to a historic victory? Will Jimmy Butler and co take this to a Game 7? Continue reading
NBA Finals – Heat 111-108 Lakers: Butler’s special showing forces a Game 6
The trophy was ready, confetti and all. Yet the Los Angeles Lakers’ wait for another NBA championship continues into this weekend with Game 6 next on Sunday evening. Their two-game series lead was halved once more after another inspired Finals showing by Jimmy Butler and the short-handed Miami Heat – staring elimination in the face and rolling with the punches. Continue reading
NBA Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers – Plenty to play for
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Jimmy Butler recorded a historic 40-point triple-double, becoming only the third player in NBA Finals history to do so – as the Miami Heat delivered a defiant display, taking Game 3 with a nine-point margin against the Lakers. It’s made all the more impressive knowing that two of their stars – Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo – watched helplessly from the sidelines nursing injuries. Can they level the series, or will the Lakers restore their two-game advantage? Continue reading
NBA Finals Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat – Injured but not out
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Anthony Davis had 34 points and LeBron James added 25 as the Los Angeles Lakers were rampant en route to an impressive Game 1 win vs. the Miami Heat in this year’s NBA Finals. Erik Spoelstra’s side have multiple niggling injuries – Goran Dragic (foot), Bam Adebayo (shoulder) and Jimmy Butler (ankle), but want to make necessary adjustments and shoot more efficiently than they did for Game 2. Will they tie up the series or can the Lakers take a 2-0 lead? Continue reading
Playoff Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets – Comeback kings in familiar spot
The Lakers were given a run for their money in the fourth quarter, but ultimately restored their two-game series advantage vs. the Denver Nuggets. Now, the season’s comeback kings must respond as they have done regularly in Orlando – it’s win or go home time again for Michael Malone’s men. Will Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and co step up in another elimination game here? Or will the Lakers secure their first NBA Finals trip since 2010? Continue reading
Playoff Preview: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics – A big Game 4 in store
Jaylen Brown had 26 points, Jayson Tatum added 25 with 14 rebounds and eight assists as the Boston Celtics finally retained their lead to halve the series deficit against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, the onus is on Miami to respond accordingly – so how will Erik Spoelstra’s defiant players respond in an important Game 4? Struggle again or come out firing? Continue reading
Playoff Preview: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers – A swift response needed
Anthony Davis’ buzzer-beating three broke Denver hearts dramatically at the end of Game 2. Now, the postseason’s comeback kings are down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers and there’s increasing belief this matchup is one step too far for Nikola Jokic and co. After narrowly falling short on Sunday, how will they respond in Game 3 of this year’s Western Conference Finals? Continue reading
Playoff Preview: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat – C’s look to level pulsating series
Bam Adebayo’s record-shattering block to deny Jayson Tatum proved decisive in overtime, as the Miami Heat drew first blood in an exciting series against the Boston Celtics. Boston need to respond in Game 2, trailing against a determined Heat side continuing to silence their critics, like Denver out West. Will they double their series lead, or will things be tied up at one apiece? Continue reading
Playoff Preview: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat – An important Game 1 awaits
Game 1 of this season’s Eastern Conference Finals gets underway tonight, as the Boston Celtics face the Miami Heat at the start of a intriguing series. After squeezing past Toronto in the semi-finals, Boston target another impressive start to proceedings against Miami – who made the top seeded Milwaukee Bucks look ordinary in a five-game series which finished early last week. Continue reading
Playoff Preview: LA Lakers vs Houston Rockets – Can D’Antoni’s men extend series?
Following a ten-point victory on Thursday evening, the Lakers have edged ever closer to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in a decade. They can clinch that in Game 5, against a Houston side who appear genuinely defeated. Will they finish the job once and for all, or can the Rockets extend their stay in Orlando like Denver did against the Clippers overnight? Continue reading
