Lakers Outlast the Heat
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on Oct. 11, 2020, at The AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
Credit: © Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
On October 11, the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) defeated the Miami Heat, 106-93, to win the franchise’s 17th NBA championship. The Lakers won the best-of-seven Finals four games to two, capping an extraordinary season interrupted by COVID-19 and later played out in a “bubble” at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Los Angeles superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis helped the Lakers overcome a spirited performance by the injury-depleted Heat and its willful leader Jimmy Butler. The game six victory secured James’s fourth championship, adding to title runs he enjoyed with the Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. James, who averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in the series, was named the Finals’ Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The Miami Heat were led by battle-tested Butler, active young center Bam Adebayo, and rookie guard Tyler Herro. Butler totaled 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in a Game Three Heat victory. He also recorded a triple-double in the Heat’s Game Five victory.
After accepting the championship trophy, James and Davis dedicated the trophy to the former Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Bryant was one of the most exciting players in the NBA, playing guard for a record 20 seasons for the Lakers. On Jan. 26, 2020, Bryant died in a helicopter crash. One of his daughters, 13-year-old Gianna, and the seven other people aboard the craft died as well. The Lakers—and the NBA as a whole—honored the Bryant family throughout the season. The Lakers have worn black jerseys that were designed by Bryant before his death. The jerseys also have the number “2” in a heart, Gianna’s jersey number.
