After what has been one long season, we are now finally down to two. The Miami Heat will battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals. As we all know, this has been one season for the ages with what has all went on. The Covid pandemic halted sports and it seemed like the season would be cancelled. The NBA came back on July 31st in a bubble and we have seen some exciting basketball. In the East, many thought the Bucks or Celtics would represent the East. Miami was one of five teams that I thought could make a run to the 2020 NBA Finals. They took down 2-time reigning MVP and the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals easily. In the East Finals, they upended the Boston Celtics whom I had winning. Headed into their matchup with the Lakers, Miami will be the underdog.
The Lakers came into the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference. Lebron James and Anthony Davis is the best duo the NBA has seen in a very long time. After dropping the first game, they took down Portland in four consecutive games. Coming into the playoffs, Portland was deemed as the scariest team in the bubble by me. In the second round, they also dropped the first game and won four in a row against Houston. They were a little challenged by Denver, who could’ve been up 2-1 headed into Game 4. Lebron put the team on his back in the series clincher and Davis the game before. Both teams are 12-3 in the playoffs as they meet in Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals on Wednesday. Can Lebron win his 4th title and Davis his first or will Butler finally get his?
Los Angeles Lakers
When Los Angeles acquired Anthony Davis in a trade, we knew it was a matter of time they’d reach this point. They both are hungry for this championship. Anthony Davis wants that first one, which is why he forced a trade from New Orleans. Lebron is seeking his 4th championship, which would make his 3rd team winning one. Los Angeles management has done a good job at surrounding them with great talent. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rando, Danny Green, Markieff Morris and Alex Caruso have played amazing. Dwight Howard has given them a spark off the bench also. Will the Lakers play big ball against the Heat? If so, how will they counter the speed of Tyler Herro or a Jae Crowder? If the role players continue to play like they have, Los Angeles should take the series.
Miami Heat
Erik Spoelstra is arguably the best coach in the league. The Miami Coach is a mastermind when it comes to finding strategies to stop the other team. Jimmy Butler is the leader of this Miami Heat team, but they have so many weapons. Bam Adebayo has shown that he’s one of the best big men in the league. Adebayo can score, rebound, pass and he’s one helluva defender. Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson and Jae Crowder can get bucket anytime. We know that Jimmy Butler and Andre Iguodala are more than capable of guarding Lebron. Who will check Anthony Davis? Can Adebayo step up and handle Davis? If the Lakers were to play with their bigs, who else can help contain them? We could see Kendrick Nunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Solomon Hill log in some serious minutes in the 2020 NBA Finals.
Who Wins?
Los Angeles is opening up as a huge favorite heading into the 2020 NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler says he doesn’t believe they’re the underdog heading into this matchup. The way he thinks is the reason why the Miami Heat keeps surprising people. I’m really feeling this Heat team and I’ve slept on them twice already. In the end, I’m going with the Lakers to leave as the 2020 NBA Champions. Los Angeles Wins Series 4-2
