Miami ran out to their customary early lead, but the Lakers darted back by the end of the first quarter. The Lakers raced by, but Miami has shown that, for the part, they don't cave in the same way as many teams do these days. Miami went into the half with a tenuous four point lead. They had played better than the slim margin suggested.
It seemed as if the Lakers would gallop off with the championship in the third quarter, but the Heat actually ended the quarter extending their lead. Rookie Duncan Robinson had the game of his young career with 26 points on 7 for 13 shooting from beyond the arc. Another rookie, Kendrick Nunn, bounced back with a strong 14 point game.
Still, the Lakers were hungry to finish the season in Game 5 and the two teams battled down the stretch with the game in the balance. Jimmy Butler hit two clutch free throws to put the Heat up one. But L.A. scored to lead 108-107. Butler drove to the basket and was fouled. He made two more free throws.
The game became a duel between LeBron James and Butler. LeBron scored 40 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished 7 assists and grabbed three steals. He had the ball in his hands and drove. He threw a pass just off the mark to Danny Green, who fumbled it, collected it, and fired. The errant pass took him out of his rhythm and the shot missed. But Markieff Morris grabbed the rebound. He is not a great passer and attempted a post pass to Anthony Davis (who had 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) but the pass sailed far away from the Unibrow.
Tyler Herro knocked down two clutch free throws and the Lakers weren't able to get a clear shot at the buzzer. Miami won 11-108 to trim L.A.'s series lead to 3-2.
Butler was the hero. Not only did he carry the team to victory down the stretch, but he dragged them all game long. He scored 35 points on 11-19 shooting. He made all 12 of his free throws. He added 12 boards, 11 dimes, and 5 thefts. Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Jae Crowder all added double figures, but none had a good game. Herro contributed those free throws at the end. Adebayo played solid defense on James int he fourth. Crowder didn't help much. Miami had been a team this season, but int he Finals, they have needed Butler to be legendary even to win close games.
The Lakers are likely going to get big games from LeBron and Davis. They need some of their other players to shoot well, which they failed to do in Game 5. It might make sense for L.A. to play LeBron on Butler more. LeBron is not the defensive player he used to be, but he can show flashes of his former defensive prowess. LeBron doesn't need to lead the team in scoring for the Lakers to win. The offense can go through Davis and filter out to open shooters. That way LeBron can focus defensively on Butler. Miami can't beat the Lakers if Butler doesn't play at an elite level unless they get 4 or 5 other players who have career games. The Lakers have a more versatile attack.
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