Lakers beat Heat, 1 victory from title

NBA FINALS LAKERS 102, HEAT 96

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Anthony Davis punched his chest in celebration. LeBron James let out a huge scream.

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the cusp of what they want most — the franchise’s first championship in 10 years.

Davis’ three-pointer with 39.5 seconds left was the backbreaker, James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.

The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday.

Kentavious Caldwell- Pope scored 15 and Danny Green added 10 for the Lakers, who didn’t trail at any point in the final 20-plus minutes. Davis’ three-pointer in the final minute made it 100-91, starting the celebration that took the Lakers all night to earn.

“Felt like a finals game,” James said. “Felt like both teams were desperate … and that’s what it’s all about.”

Jimmy Butler scored 22 points for Miami, which got 21 from Tyler Herro, 17 from Duncan Robinson and 15 from Bam Adebayo — who returned after missing two games with a neck injury.

James’ three-pointer with 8:18 left in the third put the Lakers up 55-54 and set the tone for the way the rest of the night was going to go; L.A. leading, Miami chasing.

The Lakers were up by seven with 2:27 left in the third after a three-pointer by Davis — the 7164 margin representing the biggest by either side to that point. Miami scored the next six to get within one, yet couldn’t get back on top, a trend that persisted into the fourth.

Herro made a three early in the fourth to get Miami within one again; the Heat promptly fouled Markieff Morris on a three-point try, and he made all

three shots. Butler scored inside to tie the game with 6: 27 left; James scored the next five points himself, including a three-point play where he ended up flat on his back after spinning the ball perfectly off the glass for a score on a drive while taking contact.

A bounce here, a bounce there. Those were the differences late, and the Lakers made their own breaks.

Butler had a corner three that would have given Miami the lead rim out with 3:05 left, Caldwell-Pope made a corner three at the other end seven seconds later and the Lakers were up 93-88.