NBA Finals 2020: LeBron James and Caldwell Pope put the Lakers on the brink of glory after winning Game 4

The Los Angles Lakers’ 102-96 victory against the Miami Heat puts them one win away from a championship. LeBron James, who was once again the biggest offensive player for the Lakers on the night continuously targeted Miami’s weaker defenders in pick-and-rolls to finish with 28 points on 8-for-16 shooting, plus 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Davis had 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting, with nine rebounds, four assists, and four blocks while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points including a crucial layup late in the fourth quarter.

Despite the Miami Heat having Bam Adebayo return on the night, the Los Angeles Lakers still managed to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Heat centre had 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and seven rebounds in 33 minutes in his first game back from a neck injury. Jimmy Butler had 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, with eight assists, 10 rebounds, and three steals.

The Heat shot 11 for 32 from 3-point range and will lament several of its misfires.

Game 5 is Friday.

Watch Game 4 highlights below

Related: NBA Finals 2020: Jimmy Butler drags Miami Heat back into the series to win Game 3 

NBA Finals 2020: Los Angeles Lakers take a 2-0 lead against Miami Heat

NBA Final 2020: Anthony Davis played superb basketball as Lakers take Game 1 against Miami

Lakers put in a big defensive response after Game 3

The Los Angeles Lakers were roughened up in Game 3 by Butler and the Heat, and the Heat also put in a remarkable offence in their Game 2 loss, too. But it was all different in Game 4.

The Lakers had an attitude adjustment and put Anthony Davis on Butler, after the Heat forward’s 40-point performance in Game 3 and the matchup undeniably made things more difficult.

James used it as an opportunity to once again say that Davis should have won the Defensive Player of the Year award that went to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The guy can do everything defensively,” James says. “Guard on the ball, guard the post, can slide his feet with guards, can contest, can body up with bigs. Need I say more?

Miami’s spacing also seems to take a hit with Adebayo’s return.

The Lakers were making huge plays and this time, they didn’t let Kelly Olynyk burn them when he slipped screens. The Heat only had 18 assists, the only time in the playoffs that they had finished with fewer than 20.

Obviously, Anthony’s matchup on Butler was a big factor in our defensive efficiency,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel says.

Jimmy’s so great, it’s hard to even slow him down, but A.D. did a great job. It starts there, but you have to credit our guys’ competitive spirit. They were flying around and just competing at an extremely high level at that end of the floor.”

You also have to credit Vogel. Butler attacked Dwight Howard repeatedly at the beginning of the game, and Howard didn’t get another stint. Markieff Morris took his place in the starting lineup in the second half.

The Heat scored 104.3 points per 100 possessions. Heading into the game, they were averaging 113.5 per 100 in the playoffs.

The Lakers would be crowned champions if they can close out the series on Friday but will the Heat play party pooper?

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