By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the Game 3 loss, the Los Angeles Lakers made their adjustments and bounced back for a 3-1 lead versus the Miami Heat. Containing Jimmy Butler was the main focus Tuesday with Anthony Davis taking the challenge to guard him.
“I wanted to deal out the most of my energy on the defensive end,” said Davis commenting on his assignment, “We were better overall defensively.”
Head coach Frank Vogel laid out the Game 4 adjustments. His side also enjoyed clutch points from role players stepping up prior to Davis sinking a deciding three with 39.5 seconds to go.
“He hits a lot of big shots for us,” mentioned Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, “He is a game-changer.” The 27-year-old guard himself scored five straight points in crunch time en route for a 15-point outing.
“He stays ready. Works on his craft. That three in front of the bench was a huge three and obviously the drive at the end of the shot clock. Those were two big back-to-back plays,” pointed out LeBron James regarding KCP.
Prior to Game 4, LeBron texted his teammates demanding mental preparation for a must-win situation. “This was one of the biggest games of my career,” he afterward explained replying to a question on his message.
A first two-day break in between contests of the NBA Finals leads up to Friday’s Game 5. The Heat hope to get back Goran Dragic to improve their chances of forcing a Game 6. “Goran is doing everything he possibly can to get back in this competition,” noted Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
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