Miami Heat Beat Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of NBA Finals

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Oct 10, 2020 01:57 AM EDT

The Miami Heat postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' supposed NBA championship on Friday night by winning with a 111-108 final score.

The Heat's victory pushed the series to a Game 6 on Sunday night with the Lakers leading the series with 3-2. Thanks to Jimmy Butler, who made two free throws with just under 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The Miami Heat managed to drive the game with virtuoso performances from Butler and Duncan Robinson.

The Lakers were seconds away from the title before the Heat managed to save the game. Back and forth lead, they went.

During the last quarter, the Lakers aimed to get a basket and win the title but failed despite LeBron James and Anthony Davis' sensational performance.

Danny Green missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer, followed by a Markieff Morris turnover. And then James missed a desperation shot at the buzzer, securing the Miami win, according to reports.

Game Predictions

ESPN earlier released a poll, showing which team was most favored to win.

ESPN's NBA Basketball Power Index shows the Lakers are a 58 percent favorite to win Game 5 and secure the championship title.

ESPN's forecast panel of experts also leans more heavily on the Lakers with 71 percent, and Miami Heat with 29 percent.

ESPN earlier said the Lakers would need to get Davis pumped up early, adding that Davis' impact cannot be simply measured by statistics alone.

In addition, the Lakers team was said to be their best on the run, and their fast break is often sparked by their defense.

ESPN Stats & Information research noted that James and Davis are on their way to becoming the fourth pair of teammates in NBA history to each average over 25 points per game and this while shooting better than 50 percent in a Final series.

ESPN panel showed that 67 percent agree that James should be named the Finals MVP if the Lakers win the championship, while 33 percent voted for Davis.