Lakers freeze Heat in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 NBA Finals lead

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Los Angeles Lakers found their stride in the fourth quarter and survived a pesky Miami Heat squad in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, 102-96.

When it’s winning time, you know who will deliver.

LeBron James erased a shaky 8 points and 5 turnovers first half performance and put the team on his back the next two quarters to finish the cardiac ball game with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Deadlocked at 83-all in the final frame, James set the tone for the Lakers after scoring five straight points to fend off any Miami rally late.

James’ heroics did not end there after diming the ball to the hot-handed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 3 minutes left in the crucial final stretch to put the Lakers up by 5.

Rajon Rondo also played big in the final minutes after scoring on a crafty layup and finding Anthony Davis in the ensuing play for a back-breaking three, extending their lead to 9 with 39 seconds left in the game.

Jimmy Butler continued his consistent performance and came close to recording his second consecutive triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Despite a valiant scoring effort from the Miami starters and Bam Adebayo’s return, the Heat had trouble scoring in the closing minutes of the fourth as the Lakers amped up their defense.

Early on, Miami found success defending Davis by opting to play man-to-man and fronting him in the post.

Miami will have some time to rethink about their strategy for Game 5 as both teams will have an extra day of rest.

With the Lakers only needing one win to hold that Larry O’ Brien championship trophy, can Miami hold on and put on another classic performance like what they did in Game 3?