The Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-1 lead over the Miami Heat with a 102-96, victory in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Lakers F LeBron James was making headlines after the game as teammates told reporters that LeBron James sent a group text to the team after their team meeting ahead of Game 4 stating, “must win”.
In what was mostly a back and forth game, the hero of the day for the Los Angeles Lakers was none other than Anthony Davis.
LeBron James Calls AD The Defensive Player Of The Year
LeBron James spent most of the time guarding Jimmy Butler throughout the first three games of the series.
After Jimmy Butler posted a triple-double in Game 3 recording 40 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists, the Lakers knew they needed to make an adjustment in Game 4.
Anthony Davis took on the assignment of Jimmy Butler and held him to 22 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
Although Butler almost recorded another triple-double, he wasn’t nearly as effective as he was in the previous game.
Anthony Davis recorded 4 blocks last night, two of them coming in crucial moments in the fourth quarter.
As a result, he received a lot of praise after the game.
His teammate and partner in crime, LeBron James said the following.
LeBron James on Anthony Davis tonight: “That’s why he’s the Defensive Player of the Year.”
Of course, AD was voted 2nd in DPOY voting (Giannis), but LeBron, Vogel, etc. felt he was the best player on that end.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 7, 2020
Giannis Antetokounmpo won the award, receiving 3/4 of the vote.
Giannis also received a lot of heat for not taking on the assignment of Jimmy Butler in their second round series.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins also shed his light on Davis for the good defensive performance.
.@KendrickPerkins could not get over Anthony Davis’ defense in Game 4.
“He was stuck on Jimmy Butler like fat cells are stuck on me!” 😂 pic.twitter.com/2YtSLpHRdn
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 7, 2020
While he may have been exaggerating just a tad, Anthony Davis was all over Butler last night.
AD Closes Out The Game For The Lake Show
Speaking of Anthony Davis, he also hit the dagger shot last night to secure the 3-1 lead for his team.
ANTHONY DAVIS…. GAME 4 DAGGER. pic.twitter.com/zeyTDnBxmp
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 7, 2020
After hitting the shot, Anthony Davis mouths the words, “I’m that guy”.
Last night, he was indeed that guy on both sides of the floor.
The irony in all of this is that LeBron James lost in the MVP race to Giannis Antetokounmpo and must have enjoyed throwing shade at him afterwards.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one game away from claiming their 17th NBA Championship.
Many are speculating on who the Finals MVP would be between LeBron and Davis, but none of that matters unless they are able to close out this Miami Heat team.
Close out games tend to be the hardest and the Heat will not go down easy.
Anthony Davis is going to need another great defensive game against Jimmy Butler if they do not want this series to be extended.
NEXT: 3 Adjustments The Lakers Must Make In Game 4 Of Finals