NBA Finals Game 4 Breakdown

1Q: I don’t understand the Lakers staring down Dwight in the post. Miami is going to take that every time. KCP has been huge early with his dribble penetration and threes. Miami hasn't been as disciplined with the help and the closeouts. The threat of Duncan Robinson shooting is opening things up for Miami. Bam being aggressive offensively is huge for Miami. If he's able to score 1v1, especially vs. LA's smaller lineups, that helps Miami sustain offensively. The Lakers hold a 27-22 lead after the 1st Q, despite committing 7 turnovers to Miami’s 4. They made up for it at the 3-point line, hitting 4 of 5, and on the glass, with an 11-6 edge. 2Q: Miami's defense at times has been a coach's shell drill dream. Lakers have not figured out how to penetrate Miami's help defense. Since they've adjusted to selling out to take away the paint, Lakers have been very perimeter based. One of those halves where both teams probably feel ok. Lakers haven't played well but are still winning. Miami not shooting well from deep but have bothered AD. One big thing I've noticed from the Anthony Davis doubles. Miami is forcing him to his left (or middle), towards the help, and then hitting him then. Impacting the face up game, getting a double team but not opening everything up. Miami’s defense, especially in fronting the post, has bothered LAL considerably towards several of their 9 turnovers, but the Heat have converted those TO’s into only 6 points, matching LAL’s 6 points off MIA’s 5 turnovers. Miami showing a wall vs. LeBron in transition ala Giannis. Dribble penetration going to be so key for the Lakers with how Miami is defending. Has to be patience but with tempo and attack. LAL take a 49-47 lead into halftime despite not playing their best basketball, shooting 45% from the field, only getting to the FT line 3 times and turning it over 9 times. They held MIA to 42% FG’s and 4 of 15 3’s while hitting 7 of 16 3’s on the other end. 3Q: Lakers go small to start the 2nd half, with Morris in for Howard. This is the lineup the Lakers used effectively against Houston in Round 2. LAL have been out of rhythm offensively here. Have to hand it to the Lakers. They haven't played well and they are staying in the fight even if it's in the mud. LeBron in P&R attacking Robinson/Herro continues to be a pressure point. Lakers switching to having Anthony Davis go under those screens with Jimmy Butler handling has been a big difference. The other thing is LeBron on Bam. Allows LeBron to be a helper on the weak side. Can stay in a drop if Jimmy is in P&R. It’s been very interesting the impact Miami has had on the LeBron/AD P&R as they haven’t allowed for LAL to get much out of it. Davis is doing a great job making his presence felt on Butler at the rim here. He wasn’t able to do that as much in Game 3 due in part to the foul trouble. LAL up 75-70 heading into the 4th Q. 4Q: Going under vs Jimmy Butler has been so big. Not giving him the matchups. Miami has to find a way to create an advantage out of the Lakers playing so far back. This is where Herro, Robinson and co. are going to have to step up. With LA going under vs. Jimmy Butler in P&R, they have to take advantage the other way around. Lakers haven't had an answer for Jimmy coming off P&R on the side. Miami hasn't had an answer for LeBron coming off in P&R vs. Robinson. This is excellent from both teams. Lakers getting the second chances. Miami running offense through Tyler Herro with 4 minutes left in the Finals is wild. Kudos to Vogel and the Lakers, with everything they have and what they had working, they put Rondo in P&R with Anthony Davis and got two key buckets out of it. Lakers win Game 4, 102-96.