By Gustavo Castilho
Even with important absences, Heat overcomes and wins lakers in the third game of the final.
Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo’s injuries do not seem to have affected the Miami Heat. With a score of 115 to 104, the Florida team remains alive and hopeful for the return of their two stars to the team. If Dragic and Adebayo are still doubts, Jimmy Butler is a certainty. The winger was the name of the third game with a triple-double (40 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists). He became the third player in history to have a 40-point triple-double, alongside Jerry West and LeBron James. Butler helped the team to stay ahead of the scoreboard during the whole game, with a masterful performance. Another highlight goes to the Miami defensive work, designed by coach Erik Spoelstra, who managed to stop the duo, Lebron James, and Anthony Davis. Lebron left the court with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Davis had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Happiness in Florida, yellow light in California. For many, the Los Angeles victory was almost certain, mainly due to the steamroller of the double Lebron and Davis in the first games, and the absences in Miami. Despite the performance below average, James increased the list of personal achievements. He overcame John Stockton (1839), and became the second player with most playoff assists in history (1840), after only Magic Johnson (2346). He also became the second biggest assistant in Finals (401), beating Bob Cousy (400), but still behind the same Magic Johnson (584) again. The ball goes up again next Tuesday, at 22h, Brasília time.
Match Statistics:
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James – 25 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
Anthony Davis – 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Rajon Rondo – 4 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
K. Caldwell-Pope – 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Kyle Kuzma – 19 points, 3 assists
Markieff Morris – 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Alex Caruso – 8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler – 40 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists
Kelly Olynyk – 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Tyler Herro – 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Kendrick Nunn – 4 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists
Jae Crowder – 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist
Duncan Robinson – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Finals schedule (Brasília time)
Game 1: Lakers 116 x 98 Heat
Game 2: Lakers 124x 114 Heat
Match 3: Heat 115 x 104 Lakers
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
