The NBA has announced the uniform schedule for The Finals.
Game 1
Lakers: Gold/Icon
Heat: Black/Icon
Game 2
Lakers: Black/Classic
Heat: White/Association
Game 3
Heat: Black/Icon
Lakers: White/Association
Game 4
Heat: Black/Icon
Lakers: Gold/Icon
Game 5
Lakers: Purple/Statement
Heat: White/Association
Game 6
Heat: Black/Icon
Lakers: White/Association
Game 7
Lakers: Black/Classic
Heat: Black/Association
When LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010, he predicted they could win upwards of seven titles. James ended up winning two titles in four trips to The Finals before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.
Anthony Davis, appearing in his first Finals, believes he and James could reach The Finals in every year of this decade.
“You see the work and preparation LeBron puts in every day, and you understand why this is his 10th NBA Finals appearance. He never stops. I plan to follow this motherf---er to hopefully nine more Finals,” Davis told Yahoo Sports. “We’re all ready to go.”
Davis is 27 years old while James turns 36 in December.
“I knew what I wanted,” he told Yahoo Sports. “I wanted what he had,” pointing to James.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis discussed the psychological impact of the bubble ahead of their game 1 NBA Finals matchup against the Miami Heat.
"It's probably been the most challenging thing I've ever done as far as a professional, as far as committing to something and actually making it through. But I knew when I was coming what we were coming here for.
"I would be lying if I sat up here and knew that everything inside the bubble, the toll that it would take on your mind and your body and everything else, because it's been extremely tough. But I'm here for one reason and one reason only, and that's to compete for a championship," said James.
Davis echoed James' claims about the mental strain of the bubble.
"I think this one is going to be a tough one. People said it's going to be the toughest championship in NBA history from a mental standpoint just because of the circumstances," said Davis.
James added that he holds no special meaning in playing against the Heat, with Davis ranking the possibility of James winning this title "probably second behind Cleveland."
James then complimented Pat Riley's impact on the NBA.
"He's won at every level. I saw the stat the other day that he's been part of a championship in four decades. This league is not the same without Riles. He's a great guy, great motivator, someone that just knows what it takes to win, and he's shown that over the course of -- what -- 40 years."
Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton) preview the NBA Finals.
They discuss how these two teams made their way through the first three rounds, the key match-ups and tactical adjustments that will define the series, their Finals predictions, the Clippers moving on from Doc Rivers, bubble takeaways and much more.
Sponsored by BetOnline
The Los Angeles Lakers are heavy favorites to win the Finals against the Miami Heat with BetOnline posting them at -350.
The Lakers are nearly 78 percent likely to win the series, according to the implied odds. Miami is at +280 as the underdogs.
The Lakers are generally considered the NBA's most public team in terms of gamblers.
The NBA released the schedule for the 2020 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, listed below.
All games will be broadcast on ABC.
Game 1: Wednesday, Sept. 30: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 ET
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 2: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 ET
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 4: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 7:30 ET
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 6: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 9 ET
Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 9: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 ET
Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 11: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 7:30 ET
Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 13: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 ET
* = if necessary
LeBron James reflected upon making the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers, saying that his efforts won't mean anything unless they win the title.
This will be James' 10th trip to the NBA Finals.
"Right now, it don't mean s--- unless I get it done. I got to get it done," said James after the Lakers' series-clinching game 5 win over the Nuggets.
James, who is the league's No. 1 all-time postseason scoring leader, finished with 38 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds in the game.
James could also potentially be the first player in NBA history to win a Finals MVP with three different franchises.
"I just want to travel my own journey, because it is my journey. I've appreciated everything that's happened along the way. I mean, throughout -- the ups, the downs, the ups on the court, the downs on the court, the wins and losses. But I've been able to, I guess as Frank Sinatra would say, 'I did it my way.'"
Frank Vogel confirmed that Anthony Davis will play in game 5 against the Denver Nuggets.
Davis was listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain.
Davis suffered the injury in the second of the Lakers' game 4 win, but stayed in the game.
The Lakers lead the series 3-1.
TNT's coverage of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals averaged 4.6 million viewers compared to 5.43 million viewers for Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network. The NBA trailed the NFL by a few hundredths of a point in the 18-49 demographic at 1.87 compared to 1.9.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets by a final score of 114-108, while the Miami Dolphins beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-13. The viewership for the NFL was the lowest tally for a Thursday game since 2016 when the Jaguars played the Tennessee Titans and drew 5.1 million viewers.
Celebrity Family Feud on ABC drew 5.26 million viewers.
During the previous week, Thursday Night Football averaged 6.68 million viewers while Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals brought in 3.48 million viewers.
Anthony Davis has been listed as questionable for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals with a sprained left ankle.
Davis suffered the ankle injury during the second half of the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 4 win. Davis stayed in the game.
Frankl Vogel told the media on Friday he expects Davis to play in Game 5.
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