By Gustavo Castilho
From discredited to feared, Heat wants to take the top spot on the podium. The Lakers, on the other hand, try to reach the same number of achievements as the biggest rival, the Celtics.
In search of the seventeenth title, the Lakers bet on Lebron James and Anthony Davis to bring the cup back to the city of LA. The last title of the franchise was in the 2009/2010 season, under Kobe Bryant’s legendary leadership. Miami Heat, on the other hand, is looking for their sixth championship. The last time they won was in the 2012/2013 season and, interestingly, Lebron James was part of the team. The current Lakers winger reaches his tenth decision in seventeen disputes.
The finalists were decided last weekend, when the Lakers took their place by defeating the Denver Nuggets 107 to 117, closing the Western Conference decision at 4×1. The Heat needed another game – the best of seven – to dispatch the Celtics. With the scoreboard 125×113, the team ended the series in 4×2, taking the east side conference title.
On their way to the finals, Los Angeles has their best season until entering the playoffs, with 52 wins and 19 losses. Before the Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets were the victims of the team that beat both of them by 4-1.
On the other side of the country, the Heat ranked fifth in the Conference, with 44 wins and 29 losses. Discredited by many, the team rocked the Orlando Bubble and did not even notice the competition. Indiana Pacers (4×0) Milwaukee Bucks (4×1) were easy prey to Jimmy Butler’s
team. In the final, facing the Celtics, owner of the best campaign before the playoffs, it was a (4×2).
Lakers path to the finals:
Campaign: 52 wins 19 losses
Offensive rating: 111.7 (11th), in playoffs 115.6 (2nd)
Defensive rating: 106.1 (3rd), in the playoffs 107.8 (5th)
Los Angeles Lakers Top Players Average in the Playoffs
Anthony Davids: 28.8 points / 9.3 rebounds / 3.6 assists
Lebron James: 26.7 points / 10.3 rebounds / 8.9 assists
Kyle Kuzuma: 10.5 points / 3.2 rebounds / 0.9 assists
Miami Heat path to the finals:
Campaign: 44 wins and 29 losses
Offensive rating: 111.9 (7th), in the playoffs 112.7 (7th)
Defensive rating: 109.9 (7th) in the playoffs 112.7 (7th)
Miami Heat players average during playoffs
Goran Dragic: 20.9 points / 4.2 rebounds / 4.7 assists
Jimmy Butler: 20.7 points / 5.7 rebounds / 4.5 assists
Bam Adebayo: 18.5 points / 11.4 rebounds / 4.9 assists
Next matches (BrasÃlia time)
Match 1: Lakers v Heat, Wednesday (9/30), 10 pm
Match 2: Lakers v Heat, Friday (2/10), 10 pm
Match 3: Heat v Lakers, Sunday (4/10), 8:30 pm
Match 4: Heat v Lakers, Tuesday (6/10), 10:00 pm
Game 5 (if necessary): Lakers vs. Heat, Friday (9/10), 10 pm
Match 6 (if necessary): Heat x Lakers, Sunday (11/10), 8:30 pm
Game 7 (if necessary): Lakers vs. Heat, Tuesday (10/13), 10 pm
