The NBA finals is one of the most anticipated sporting events throughout the whole calendar year. This year’s finals teams were surprising to viewers because most of the sports community thought the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers were going to be the big matchup, but the final two teams standing were the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.

Heading into the finals, fans were saying that it was going to be a clean sweep, which means that one team is going to win the series four games to zero. The Lakers were a heavy favorite coming into the series led by the dynamic duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. These two players have been on fire for the entire playoffs and the regular season. The underdog in the Finals is the Heat led by veteran Jimmy Butler and rookie Tyler Herro. The Heat have made a historic comeback in order to reach the finals, which includes going on to have an 8-1 record in the NBA bubble in order to even make it into the playoffs.

In game one, the Lakers were dominant by beating Miami 116-98, led by Davis with 34 points and LeBron with 25 points. The Lakers were off to a hot start by taking the first game in the NBA finals and they did not lose one stride going into the second game.

 In the second game, James and Davis were still the scoring leaders alongside veteran Rajon Rondo who scored 16 points in his outing. The Heat just never found a good rhythm for the game and took another loss 124-114 to put them down 2-0 in a best of seven series. Only four teams in NBA history have come back from a 2-0 deficit in the finals and end up winning. This was fuel for the Heat and especially for the veteran guard Butler, who was getting an ear full from James the first two games. 

 In game three Butler put the Heat on his back, launching a 40 point triple-double, which included 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Butler was only the third person in NBA history that recorded a forty point triple-double. With this effort by Butler alongside fabulous players off the bench, the Heat proved everyone wrong beating the Lakers 115-104. After the third game and being down 2-1 , Butler was seen saying “You’re in trouble” to opposing player James. This was a bad move on Butlers part because James came out hungry for vengeance. 

 In the fourth game of the NBA finals James scored 28 points alongside 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Butler was held to 22 points which is the least amount of points he has scored all of the finals, and James got the final laugh in game four. Now the Lakers are trying to end their season on Friday, Oct.9, and Miami is fighting to stay alive. This matchup has been one for the ages and we will see which team comes out on top.