The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from being equalling the record for the most NBA championships after they beat Miami Heat in game four of the finals.
It was Anthony Davis’ three-pointer with 39.5 seconds remaining that broke the back of the game.
Davis punched his chest in celebration. LeBron James let out a huge scream.
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The win puts the Los Angeles Lakers on the cusp of the franchise’s first championship in 10 years, and 17th overall.
James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists – Davis 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists – and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in game four of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 15 and Danny Green added 10 for the Lakers, who didn’t trail at any point in the final 20-plus minutes.
The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes in Florida’s Disney World bubble on Friday.
“Felt like a finals game,” James said.
“Felt like both teams were desperate … and that’s what it’s all about.”
Jimmy Butler scored 22 points for Miami, who got 21 from Tyler Herro, 17 from Duncan Robinson and 15 from Bam Adebayo.
This is the 36th time that a team has held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Of the previous 35, the team with the lead has gone on to win the title 34 times – James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 becoming the exception when they won three straight games to defeat the Golden State Warriors.
“The job is not done,” three-time NBA champion James added.
Not yet. But they’re on the brink.
-with AAP
