NBA FINALS

In some ways, track and field served up a tantalizing preview of what’s to come next year at the Paris Olympics.

Add Mark Jackson to the list of ESPN reporters and commentators who have been laid off over the past five weeks.

Brazilian soccer star Neymar was fined more than $3.3 million for violating local environmental rules during renovations at his mansion in the city of Mangaratiba outside Rio de Janeiro.

A video shows UFC fighter Conor McGregor leading an alleged sexual assault victim into a men’s restroom at the Kaseya Center on June 9 after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, according to TMZ.

The Miami Heat has responded to allegations against Conor McGregor of a serious alleged crime that occurred during an NBA Finals game.

Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot in a midgame bit that went wrong.

The Miami Heat will be looking to tie up the NBA Finals Friday on a very special day.

Wednesday night marked the first time the Heat’s house has hosted the NBA Finals since 2014, and there’s nothing like a game at home.

Looking to go to an NBA Finals game in Miami? It won’t be cheap.

The Miami Heat are ready to hit the court for their first NBA Finals home game in over 10 years as the team gets ready to face the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 on Wednesday.

Rollerbladers were among those riding high outside Kaseya Center on Sunday, hoping that the Miami Heat slides into a big win.

There are a lot of Miami Heat fans who made the trip to Denver for the NBA Finals.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro could go from wearing a bucket hat in the stands to suiting up in his uniform starting next week.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was set to resume his NBA scoring-record chase Thursday night at Indiana after being cleared to start.

As LeBron James closes in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and is about to become the NBA’s career scoring leader, it’s only natural to take a look back at some of his moments.

The Boston Celtics have suspended coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season.

The Nielsen company says the NBA Finals series between two stories franchises reached 24% more viewers than the 2021 Finals.

The Celtics made an NBA Finals run nobody saw coming, going from a team that was three games under.

When Jayson Tatum made consecutive baskets to cap a game-opening Boston blitz, TD Garden was at its absolute loudest.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors have been within a game of clinching a championship in three of Golden State’s previous five trips to the NBA Finals during his 13-year NBA career.

ABC took home the crown as television's top-rated network last week behind two games of the NBA Finals series between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.

The wear and tear from back-to-back seven-game series seems to be taking its toll on the Boston Celtics at the worst possible time.

The Boston Celtics couldn’t make a 3-pointer to start the game and found themselves in a deep hole.

Andrew Wiggins delivered the biggest game yet in his eight-year career with 26 points and 13 rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 21 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics 104-94 for a 3-2 NBA Finals lead.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver canceled plans to attend Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Celtics because of the league’s health and safety protocols.

The Boston Celtics are probably used to 2-2 ties in the NBA Finals by now.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry says there's no doubt that he'll play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Boston.

Jayson Tatum found his scoring touch after a rare poor shooting night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals but it was the rest of his Boston Celtics teammates who went missing.

Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Jordan Poole connected from just inside of midcourt to cap a huge third-quarter run and the Golden State Warriors evened the NBA Finals at a game apiece by beating the Boston Celtics 107-88 on Sunday night.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday that he expects the oft-maligned “transition take foul” to come with stiffer penalties next season.

In Game 1, Boston showed its resilience.

The ball was moving, the shots were falling and the arena was rocking in a very familiar third quarter for the Golden State Warriors.

Jaylen Brown fueled a comeback charge and scored 24 points, Al Horford hit six 3-pointers and the Boston Celtics rode the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history to a 120-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1.

The last 12 months have been a transformative year in the NBA when it comes to diversity among coaches.

Jaylen Brown is starting the NBA Finals on the road.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green picked up where they left off last time they were healthy in the postseason.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a berth in the NBA Finals, running away after halftime to beat the Miami Heat 93-80 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference title series.

NBA referees will all be vaccinated against the coronavirus this season.

Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton flew together to Tokyo, just three nights after they had played in the hard-fought NBA Finals.

The NBA’s play-in tournament is back for at least one more season.

The U.S. men’s basketball team is finally together.

Maria Taylor has joined NBC less than a week after her contract with ESPN expired.

Chris Paul took a risk this season deciding that a young, unproven Phoenix Suns team was worth joining in his pursuit of his first NBA championship.

Giannis Antetokounmpo capped one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points as the Milwaukee Bucks won their first championship in 50 years.

The Phoenix Suns like to believe they're a resilient bunch.

Jrue Holiday’s steal and alley-oop pass to Giannis Antetounmpo for a dunk sealed a wild Game 5 and gave the Milwaukee Bucks a 123-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns had designs on coming home with a chance to win their first championship.

Devin Booker put on spectacular shooting performance through the first three quarters of Game 4 of the NBA Finals and seemed poised to help the Phoenix Suns take a commanding lead in the NBA series.

Khris Middleton scored 40 points, including 10 straight for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch to send them past the Phoenix Suns, 109-103 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

The NBA Finals has gained some, but not all of its audience back after last year's trip to the pandemic bubble.

Giannis Antetokounmpo pointed to a pair of scratches, one on his forehead and the other on his cheek.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage.

Deandre Ayton got off to a quick start then couldn't do anything but watch as the Phoenix Suns were unable to take a stranglehold on the NBA Finals.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and the Milwaukee Bucks pounded Phoenix 120-100, cutting the Suns’ lead to 2-1 in the NBA Finals.

Phoenix Suns reserve forward Torrey Craig is available to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday despite injuring his right knee in Game 2.

For the second time this postseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have staggered home with a 2-0 deficit and a couple key players who can’t shoot straight.

Much has changed in Milwaukee since the Bucks won their last NBA title a half-century ago.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his bum left knee bulldozed through the Phoenix Suns defense for most of Game 2, once again giving the Milwaukee Bucks more than they could have dreamed in these NBA Finals.

The Phoenix Suns have never been closer to an NBA title.

If Vince Budenholzer had his way, the Milwaukee Bucks would start guarding Chris Paul the minute he walked into the arena.

At their best, the Phoenix Suns have three players who can take over a game.

Chris Paul had 32 points and nine assists, Devin Booker scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the returning Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

ESPN has replaced Rachel Nichols as its sideline reporter for the NBA Finals following a report detailing critical comments she made about Black colleague Maria Taylor.

The two regular-season games between Milwaukee and Phoenix this season fit the same script.

The Los Angeles Clippers are the kings of the NBA's playoff comeback.

The NBA has informed teams that it intends to return to a normal schedule next season, with training camps opening in late September and the regular season set to begin on Oct. 19.

LeBron vs.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – On the latest Miami Sports Pod, Local 10′s Will Manso and Clay Ferraro discuss an extremely busy week for both the Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins. The Heat made a big splash at the trade deadline, acquiring All-Star guard Victor Oladipo and veteran forward Nemanja Bjelica in hopes of gearing up for another run at the NBA Finals. The Dolphins meanwhile continued to do what they do best, wheeling and dealing draft picks. Miami moved down from No. SUBSCRIBE to the Miami Sports Pod - iTunes | Android

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Washington Wizards center Moritz Wagner, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)Kawhi Leonard is planning to play for Gregg Popovich again and chase a gold medal. Leonard said Sunday at the All-Star Game in Atlanta that he is planning to compete with USA Basketball this summer at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics — which would reunite him with Popovich. Popovich will serve as head coach at the Olympics for the first time. “If I feel up to it and feel ready to go around that time, then I'm going to play," Leonard said.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat will tip off the second half of their schedule against the same team they played to open the season. The second half will also see Miami host the defending champion Lakers in another NBA Finals rematch on April 8. The league had held off on scheduling the second half of the season as the start of the season began later than usual because of COVID-19. ORLANDO 8:00 PM FSS12 Fri. @ Chicago 9:00 PM FSSAd14 Sun. @ Orlando 7:00 PM FSS16 Tues. CLEVELAND 8:00 PM FSS17 Wed. @ Memphis 9:00 PM FSS19 Fri. INDIANA 8:00 PM FSSAd21 Sun.

Local 10 has you covered for Saturday night's primetime matchup between the Heat and Lakers. A rematch of the NBA Finals is coming to you Saturday night on Local 10, as the Miami Heat face the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. for our “Countdown to Tipoff” featuring sports anchors Will Manso and Clay Ferraro. That will be followed by NBA Countdown and then the game at 8:30 p.m.Local 10 News at 11 will wrap up the night.

He had no practice time with the Nets and sure didn't need it, becoming the first player in franchise history to have a triple-double in his debut. Durant made five 3-pointers in his 10th game back following an 18-month layoff after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals. The Nets might still be even better when they get back Kyrie Irving, who missed his sixth straight game after leaving the team last week for personal reasons. Nikola Vucevic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the short-handed Magic, who lost their fifth straight. Nets: Durant has scored 25 or points in nine straight games, setting a new franchise record.

And when presented with this potential scheduling conundrum, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich — who will coach USA Basketball men’s national team at the next Olympics — came up with a very quick, very lighthearted solution. “I don’t think we’re going to let the finals go seven games,” Popovich said. Popovich will be head coach of the Olympic team for the first time, succeeding Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. “The Olympics is always on my mind, just as Coach K told me it would be,” Popovich said Tuesday. The 2016 Olympic team was picked about six weeks before the start of the Rio Games, allowing time for a training camp and exhibitions before heading to Brazil.

MIAMI – Fresh off the franchise’s sixth appearance in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat were back to work on Wednesday with an eye on the future. With the 20th selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Heat snagged Memphis big man Precious Achiuwa. Achiuwa began the season playing power forward but was moved to center by head coach Penny Hardaway (yes, that Penny Hardaway). and just 21 years old, Achiuwa could help give Miami a formidable 1-2 punch down low when teamed up with Bam Adebayo. Miami has done well with their recent first-round picks, selecting Tyler Herro in 2019 and Adebayo in 2017.

NEW YORK – The 2020-21 NBA schedule will feature a play-in tournament and an NBA Finals that could run all the way until July 22 — keeping some players from competing in the Olympics. The NBA announced Tuesday how it will make up the 72-game schedule, which won't be entirely known until well after it's started. When that's finished, the play-in tournament, approved Tuesday by the board of governors on a one-year basis, follows involving the teams with the seventh through 10th-best records in each conference. The league debuted the play-in tournament this year at Walt Disney World, though it only featured the Nos. The second half is March 11 to May 16, with the play-in tournament May 18-21.

Pressed on Embiid and Simmons, Morey quipped he was low on the tenure board. “I think they absolutely can work together,” Morey said, “but Doc’s been here a little longer than me. “Whatever my role needs to be, I accept that role,” Brand said. “The goal is not to shoot 3-pointers, the goal is to win,” Morey said. Or Morey and Rivers, who bring decades of sustained winning to Philly and will demand players do it their way?

Revenue projections for the league this season were missed by about $1.5 billion, the person said. Those talks, especially on the money issue, would have to be concluded before any real decisions about next season are made. If the NBA season goes into July or longer, it would seriously jeopardize plans to have many of the league's players taking part in the Olympics. “I think the NBA and the Players Association are going to try to get that together." There were 171 games canceled this season by the coronavirus, which caused the league to suspend operations on March 11.

The Miami Heat just completed an improbable run to the NBA finals, falling two wins short of their ultimate goal. So why does it still feel so great today as a Heat fan, despite losing to the Lakers in Game 6? Erik Spoelstra was in tears after the game, and it wasn’t just because his team lost. I’m not sure even the most optimistic of fans expected a finals run this season. Most fans understood that the trade for Butler was just Step One in building to be a champion again.

Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate outside of Staples Center, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Los Angeles, after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals to win the championship. The sounds of fireworks immediately reverberated across Los Angeles and fans headed to Staples Center, the Lakers' home court, to celebrate — despite admonitions to stay away. Witnesses told the Los Angeles Times that officers fired “beanbag rounds” at one point, which sent some people running. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had discouraged public gatherings to celebrate the win, instead urging fans to cheer on the team from home. “As we cheer our @Lakers' 17th championship, please remember it’s still not safe to gather in groups,” the mayor tweeted, in reference to the coronavirus pandemic.

Through five games of the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat gave the Los Angeles Lakers all they could handle. In Sunday’s Game 6, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers were simply too much. It’s James' fourth championship, including two with Miami and another with Cleveland, and he was named Finals MVP for the fourth time. “I told [Lakers owner] Jeanie [Buss] when I got here that I was going to bring this franchise back to the condition where it belongs." The 35-year-old James turned in his 11th triple-double in an NBA Finals game.

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat aren’t going down easily, and they can force a Game 7 of the NBA Finals if they can win Sunday night’s Game 6. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Heat: Averaging 110.9 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 7.0 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Lakers: Averaging 113.2 points, 44.0 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. INJURIES: Heat: Gabe Vincent: day to day (knee), Goran Dragic: day to day (foot). Lakers: Anthony Davis: day to day (heel), LeBron James: day to day (groin), Danny Green: day to day (finger).

The Heat have talked since the NBA Finals started about a need to play almost perfect basketball against the Lakers. “One thing about this team that we are playing, they make you pay for every mistake,” James said after Game 5. So, we have to understand that.”James is about to set the record for NBA playoff game appearances. Nobody has had more 40-point NBA Finals games in a loss than he has — the record-setting fifth entry on that list coming Friday in Miami’s 111-108 win. “We’re motivated to win Game 6 and they are motivated to win Game 6,” Davis said.

James was trying to do everything it took to knock out the Miami Heat and deliver the Lakers a championship, but he needed one more chance. The Lakers took their last timeout after Jimmy Butler's free throws gave the Heat a 107-106 lead with 16 seconds to play. A third defender came and so with three guys on you, he made the right play. James had never missed a chance to close out an NBA Finals series after getting to three wins. There's been only one 3-1 lead overcome in the NBA Finals, and James was the catalyst that time with Cleveland in 2016.

“That’s Jimmy Butler," Heat center Bam Adebayo said. Butler got fouled with 46.7 seconds left, then slumped over the baseline video boards, clearly exhausted. He made both foul shots for a one-point lead; Davis’ putback with 21.8 seconds left got the Lakers back on top. Butler drove the lane, drew contact and made both with 16.8 seconds left for a 109-108 lead. Lakers: James and Davis were a combined 24 for 36.

Jimmy Butler led the way again with another triple-double as Miami beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-108 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, pulling to within 3-2 in the series. In a game that seemed like it was set up to be a coronation for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, the Heat found a way to live another day. Butler played 47 of the game’s 48 minutes, making 11 of 19 shots from the floor and all 12 of his foul shots“That’s Jimmy Butler. Bam: “Thats Jimmy Butler. Ultimately, with the game on the line, the Heat won it at the line.

They’re huge LeBron James fans there as well, as evidenced by where the clicks are coming from. When James turned 35 this past December, the NBA did a video of the top 35 plays of his career. That’s the first time since 2014 that there were no sweeps in the conference semifinals, conference finals or NBA Finals. JAMES’ NUMBERSLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 5 of the NBA Finals just 25 points away from matching Karl Malone for No. GAME 5 REFSMarc Davis, Kane Fitzgerald and Eric Lewis got the officiating assignment for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Employees watch a live broadcast of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at an NBA store in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. The NBA is returning to Chinese state television after a one-year absence. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The NBA is returning to Chinese state television after a one-year absence. “In the Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival that just passed, the NBA expressed holiday blessings to Chinese fans," the China Media Group, essentially the operator of CCTV, said in a statement. NBA games have been available to Chinese fans on the streaming service Tencent, another of the league’s broadcast partners.

It’s do-or-die for the Miami Heat on Friday night as they try to extend the NBA Finals with a win in Game 5. Holding a 3-1 lead in the series, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of their 17th championship, which would match the Boston Celtics for most all-time. TOP PERFORMERS: Butler leads the Heat averaging 6.0 assists while scoring 19.9 points per game. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Heat: Averaging 110.8 points, 41.7 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 7.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. INJURIES: Heat: Bam Adebayo: day to day (neck), Goran Dragic: day to day (foot).

The group’s primary mission right now: defeat what it calls “systemic, targeted voter suppression” and protect Black voters. “More than a vote, it’s about protecting Black voters and voter suppression that goes on in our communities. And the More Than A Vote group has already recruited 20,000 poll workers for election day around the country. Golden State, Atlanta and Detroit are squaring off in a voting registration contest — seeing who can get the most fans to register to vote. The Hawks are among the teams that will pay employees for time spent voting and serving at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Like it or not, the NBA Finals are on hiatus until Friday — the first two-day break in this series between the Lakers and Miami Heat. When Game 5 happens, the Lakers will enter with a 3-1 series lead and on the brink of their 17th NBA championship. “For me, I mean, at this point in the season, I don’t care about rest,” James said. James’ teams — two in Miami, one in Cleveland — are 3-0 in finals games when they stand a win away from a championship. “I know Spo going into Game 5,” James said.

James and the Lakers are back in control of these NBA Finals, one win away from the franchise's 17th championship. James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Anthony Davis' 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left finally settled matters and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4. The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday. 3-1 LEADSThis is the 36th time that a team has held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. It was just the third time in the last 26 NBA Finals games that neither team reached 50 points in the first 24 minutes.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Miami Heat came up short in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and now must win three straight games to claim the franchise’s fourth championship. The Heat fell 102-96 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, falling behind 3-1 in the best-of-7 NBA Finals. LeBron James led all scorers with 28 points, adding 12 rebounds and eight assists and a steal. Jimmy Butler had another solid game for the Heat, nearly picking up his second straight triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Game 5 will be Friday night at 9pm on Local 10.

It appears the Miami Heat are going to get a big boost for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. ESPN and the Associated Press are reporting that Bam Adebayo is planning to return to the lineup tonight after missing two games with a neck strain. Meanwhile, point guard Goran Dragic warmed up in hopes of playing Game 4, but ultimately will be held out. Dragic has a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and said on Monday that it was unlikely he would play. The Heat trail the Lakers 2-1 and will try to even up the series tonight on Local 10.

Could it be the beginning of another Miami Heat NBA Finals comeback? The Finals continue Tuesday, with the Heat getting a chance to pull back even with the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4. James leads the Lakers averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers, while scoring 25.3 points per game and shooting 34.8% from beyond the arc. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Heat: Averaging 111.7 points, 41.8 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Lakers: Averaging 114.1 points, 44.3 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.3 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field.

With a triple-double, he joined NBA Finals lore — and the short-handed Miami Heat might have made this title matchup a series after all. The last punch went to Miami, Butler simply unwilling to let his team go down 3-0. It’s going to be a tough game, Game 4," Herro said. ... Nick Aquilino, the son of Heat neuromuscular therapist Vinny Aquilino, performed the anthem -- a recording from a Heat game with fans in Miami. BUTLER’S TRIPLE-DOUBLEButler became the 21st player to have a triple-double in the NBA Finals — and four of the 21 were part of Sunday’s game.

Jimmy Butler poured in 40 points, finished with a triple-double and did just about everything to lead the Miami Heat to a 115-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night. After outworking and outexecuting the Lakers throughout the night, the Heat have cut LA’s series lead to 2-1. The Heat built a lead as big as 14 points in the third quarter, ultimately taking an 85-80 lead into the fourth. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night. “I can see the anguish literally in the eyes, both of them,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game.

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo, watches play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic have been ruled out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, meaning the Miami Heat will be depleted once again Sunday night. Adebayo was ruled out with a neck injury. Both were injured in Game 1, and neither played in Miami's Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The decision on Adebayo and Dragic was made about two hours before game time. Both arrived at the arena with their teammates, and Adebayo has been lobbying the team with hopes of letting him play.

That’s just fine with Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green. Sunday would be his 257th career postseason appearance, two shy of matching Derek Fisher for the most in NBA history. He entered Game 3 of the NBA Finals seven free-throw attempts shy of matching Shaquille O’Neal (2,317) for another postseason record. It’s the 20th NBA Finals game for Foster, the 10th for Brothers and the first for Fraher. It’ll be the eighth finals game for Zarba, the fifth for Goble and the first for Brown.

The NBA Finals continue Sunday night, with the banged-up Miami Heat trying to mount a comeback after dropping the first two games to the Los Angeles Lakers. Game infoNBA FINALS: Lakers lead series 2-0GAME 3: Sunday, 7:30 p.m., AdventHealth Arena, Lake Buena Vista, FloridaLINE: Lakers -10; over/under is 218.5NBA FINALS: Lakers lead series 2-0BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals with a 2-0 lead in the series. LeBron James scored 33 points to lead Los Angeles to the victory and Jimmy Butler totaled 25 points in the loss for Miami. Kyle Kuzma is third on the Lakers averaging 12.8 points and has added 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Heat: Averaging 111.5 points, 42.1 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field.

Their defense just wasn't good enough and their veteran forward let them know it during a timeout in the third quarter. He wanted to play, but the Heat decided he needed to rest injuries to his left shoulder and neck. Butler insisted the Heat needed to find a way to win anyway, and he took his best shot. Tyler Herro, a 20-year-old rookie, became the youngest player to start an NBA Finals game and scored 17 points. Guard Kendrick Nunn, at 6-foot-2, blocked a shot by Davis, who stands 8 inches taller, in the fourth quarter.