Miami up for next test of survival

SURVIVE or celebrate – the stakes are the same for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers heading into game six of the NBA Finals today, less than 48 hours after Miami’s riveting game- five triumph.

Energy, adjustments, and possible injuries – most notably to Lakers superstar Anthony Davis – will be crucial as the Lakers try once again to secure the 17th NBA title in franchise history and their first since 2010.

The champagne was on ice and the confetti machines were courtside ready to spew Lakers purple and gold on Saturday, but Jimmy Butler, pictured, and the Heat put the celebrations on hold with a gritty 111- 108 victory in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando. They withstood a 40point performance from LeBron James to do it, and still trail 3- 2 in the b best- of seven series.

“It’s win or w win for us,” Butler said. “We like it this w way.” Despite Butler’s 35- point triple- double – not to mention 26 points from undrafted second- year forward Duncan Robinson – the Lakers had a chance to seal a victory late.

With seven seconds remaining, James, swarmed by Miami defenders under the basket, kicked the ball out to a wide- open Danny Green at the top of the arc.

Green’s three- point attempt clanked off the rim, the rebound falling to Lakers reserve Markieff Morris, who promptly threw the ball away.

“It’s a tough loss,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel, who thought two poor calls put Butler on the foul line for late free throws, calling it “unfortunate in a game of this magnitude.”

But Vogel was confident there would be no emotional let- down in game six.