Lakers vs. Heat Game 5: Prediction, Odds, LeBron James Will Win 2020 NBA Finals MVP

One win away from earning his fourth championship ring, LeBron James won’t let the Los Angeles Lakers lose Game 5 against the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals.

Friday night marks the fourth time this postseason that the Lakers enter Game 5 with the chance to clinch a series. Each time, Los Angeles has finished off its opponent as James reminds everyone that he’s still the best basketball player on earth.

Even against a very good Heat team, Game 5 of the Finals should be no different.

The combination of James and Anthony Davis is just too much for Miami, especially when the Heat are banged up and Los Angeles’ role players continue to make big shots. It’s possible that Goran Dragic will return, though a foot injury is likely to keep him off the court or prevent him from being very effective.

Jimmy Butler has been spectacular this series, registering the third 40-point triple-double in Finals history in Game 3 to give the Heat a fighting chance. It should be the only victory Miami gets over LA.

James led the way with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a 102-96 Game 4 win. The three-time Finals MVP took over in the second half with 20 points, including a dazzling three-point play with 6:08 remaining that gave the Lakers the lead for good.

Another big-time performance Friday night will give James his fourth Finals MVP award.

In Game 5 of Los Angeles’ first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, James posted a 36-point triple-double as the Lakers advanced with a 131-122 win. James led the Lakers with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 119-96 rout to eliminate the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the second round. In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, James knocked out the Denver Nuggets with 38 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for a 117-107 win and a trip to the NBA Finals.

Davis has found a way to be dominant in all three of Los Angeles’ wins this series. He did it offensively in Game 1 and Game 2 with 66 points on 41 field-goal attempts. In Game 4, Davis stepped up defensively, leading the way in holding Butler to 11 points on 3-12 shooting in the final three quarters.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo and Kyle Kuzma have all had their moments in the Finals. Even Markieff Morris has contributed, scoring 28 points with seven threes in the last two games.

The Lakers are favored by seven points in Game 5, according to odds compiled by OddsShark. The betting total is 216.

As long as James gets a little bit of help, he’s closing out the series and bringing the Lakers their first title in a decade.

Prediction: Los Angeles over Miami, 110-100