In the 2020 NBA playoff finals for the first time, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat will face off.
Set for October 1, game one of the finals would feature the champions of the western conference against the eastern conference champions.
Both teams have fought and worked hard to make it to the finals. During the regular season, the Heat were not considered as title contenders due to the nature of their roster. However, they have proven the critics wrong.
With the great form of their big 3 in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Goran Dragic, the Heat would stand a chance of becoming the 2020 NBA Champions. Despite the limitation of their roster, the team has been well managed. They have surpassed expectations.
A separate run to the finals saw Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. After an impressive regular season, the Lakers were the top seed in the Western Conference. Anthony Davis has been the shining light for the Lakers as he headlined the 2020 NBA teams of the season.
In the playoff series against the Houston Rockets, his understanding with Lebron James came to fruition. The duo mastered a great defensive and offensive strategy to help their teammates when it mattered the most.
The Lakers bench has been pivotal during the playoff series as the likes of Dwight Howard, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, and Rajon Rondo put in great performances when needed. Despite being without guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the bubble, the Lakers did well.
One interesting fact about the finals is Lakers guard Dion Waiters. He is eligible to win a ring despite the outcome of the playoff finals. Waiters started the season at Miami Heat before being traded mid-season to the Lakers.
With the death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant as a source of inspiration, the Lakers would want to win the Championship. However, they would need to overcome the intensity of the Miami Heat to become Champions.
For both sides, Lebron James and Jimmy Butler will be the difference-makers. 35-year-old Lebron will be appearing in his 9th final in 10 years. Since 2014, Jimmy Butler has led the Heat to their first final appearance.
Both James and Butler have great teammates in Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Bam Adebayo, and Goran Dragic who can help either one of them become Champions.
However, great team play would ultimately aid the eventual champions.
