After yet another heroic performance from Jimmy Butler, the Heat have inched one step closer to coming back.
The Miami Heat defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 111-108, in a thrilling game making the series 3-2.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, not only is the series extending, but Anthony Davis suffered a leg injury in the loss.
Anthony Davis Re-Injures Heel
In what many thought was an achilles injury, we were told after the game that Davis just re-injured his heel.
In the West Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Anthony Davis hurt his heel.
In last night’s game, he re-aggravated it on this play.
Injury scare for Anthony Davis, but he walked back to the bench under his own power. pic.twitter.com/F7P7R6Boj8
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 10, 2020
Anthony Davis later on returned to the game and it was obvious he was not 100%.
In spite of that, him and LeBron James nearly carried this team to their 17th NBA Championship.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis accounted for 87 of the Lakers 108 points (81%) tonight.
James and Davis went 24-of-36 from the floor while the rest of the Lakers went 14-of-46 from the floor. pic.twitter.com/uB92w4saFA
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 10, 2020
LeBron James finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists shooting 6-9 from the 3pt line.
Anthony Davis recorded 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The two dominant performances were not enough to close out the Heat and that should concern fans.
On top of that, if Anthony Davis is not 100%, that can alter the tide of this series.
“I’ll be fine” For Game 6 Says The Lakers Star
Despite the injury, the Lakers are brushing it off as something minor.
Head Coach Frank Vogel spoke on the Lakers star, claiming that he will be good to go Sunday for Game 6.
Anthony Davis himself, responded in his presser with a similar response.
“I’ll be fine on Sunday.”@AntDavis23 on his heel injury and how he deals with the disappointment of losing Game 5. pic.twitter.com/JSDcCrCqGR
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 10, 2020
“I’ll be fine” is what Anthony Davis uttered in response to a question about his injury.
While Davis did record 28 points, he only took 15 shot attempts.
He got numerous free throw opportunities and it is worth noting that he has not missed a single free throw in the NBA Finals.
But, he needs to take advantage of the size mismatch and dominant inside the paint.
Crucial Game 6 Tomorrow Night
Everyone apart of the Lakers organization is claiming Anthony Davis will be good to go tomorrow night.
However, he will most likely not be 100%.
In Game 5, the Lakers stuck with Davis guarding Jimmy Butler and the Heat seemed to figure something out.
Numerous times throughout the game, they set double screens with two shooters forcing the switch onto Butler or leaving one of the screeners open on the perimeter.
The Heat have shown they will not lay down.
As the Heat try and force a Game 7, Lakers fans around the world are hoping that not only will Davis play, but that he is 100%.
As good as LeBron has been, he needs the help of Anthony Davis in order to win this series.
The rest of the Lakers team has shown the inability of making consistent shots and that was in full effect last night.
