Oct 1, 20204 min read

NBA: Finals preview and predictions

Ariun Paige (Lakers defeat Heat in five games): Expect LeBron James and Anthony Davis to continue playing at a high level, and for LA to run away with the series 4-1 behind the two best players on the court. James and Davis are putting up a combined 55.5 points, 19.6 rebounds, and 12.5 assists per game in pursuit of the franchise's 17th title. The x-factor has to be Rajon Rondo, who has averaged 7.2 assists since returning from a hand injury 10 games ago. Los Angeles is 8-2 in that span.

Blake Stoll (LA gets rid of Miami in six games): Both teams play suffocating defense but the Lakers will prove to be too much to handle for Erik Spoelstra's team. Continue to watch out for Miami in this series and beyond, though, because they are going to keep turning heads. The young players are going to shine in the Finals but LeBron and company will win the title in six games. My x-factor is Rondo, who is shooting a career-high 44.8% from 3-point range in the playoffs (minimum 3 games).

Charles Post (Los Angeles shuts down Miami in six games): I've felt the Lakers were the best team in the league since they dealt for Davis last summer and they'll prove it in the Finals. The Lakers are too good on the interior and they proved it in the regular season against Miami, going 2-0 with an average score of 104-95. Davis and James combined for 112 points and 61.5% shooting from field, while holding Adebayo to just 11.5 points. LA leaves the bubble on top after 5-6 competitive games.

Chinedum Wejinya (Lakers take six games to eliminate the Heat): Although the Lakers will lean on Davis and James for the most part, Kyle Kuzma will play a major role in his first ever Finals appearance. The 25-year-old has been okay during LA's postseason run, averaging 10.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game on 45.8% shooting from the field, but he'll look to be even better against the Heat. Los Angeles has been playing with a different focus all playoffs, and that should continue in the Finals.

Jibreel O'Bannon (LA move past Miami in five games): Miami reminds me a lot of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team, where the sum was greater than its parts, but this isn't 2004 and there isn't any tension between LA's two best players like there was 16 years ago. Unless LeBron and AD lose their talent, they should be able to win this series in five games. LeBron, who is shooting 54.7% from the field, will win his fourth Finals MVP in his historic 10th appearance.

Luke Gremban (Lakers fulfill their destiny in five games): The Lakers just seem to have a date with destiny this year. I hate to pick against the Heat, who have gone an unexpected 12-3 in the playoffs, but I don't think they can overcome LA's talent. I would love to be wrong. While James is my pick for Finals MVP, I think Davis is the x-factor for Frank Vogel's team. Davis is averaging 28.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.1% from the field in the postseason. Lakers win 4-1.

Max Heningburg (Los Angeles eliminates Miami with Game 6 win): Even though both teams are 12-3 in the playoffs, Los Angeles is the favorite for a reason. The Lakers have the experience needed in this situation and the two best players on the court, and I don't think the Heat will have enough to pull off another upset. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be key to LA's success, as the former eighth overall pick will look to shut down guys like Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragić, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson.

Raven Martín (Heat win fourth championship over Lakers in seven games): Being from Miami, this may seem like a biased pick but it's not. The Heat have been just as good, if not better, than the Lakers for the entirety of the bubble and that will continue in the Finals. Although LA has more talent, Miami's defense (man-to-man and zone) will continue to make their opponents uncomfortable. Bam Adebayo, who's averaging 18.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, is my pick for series MVP.

Tunde Aduroja (Lakers beat Heat behind LeBron's offensive prowess): LeBron picks apart Miami's zone, and on the other end, he forces switches with Herro, Robinson, and Kelly Olynyk to grease LA's offense. Miami's spacing makes it fun, but not enough juice from the other end of the court. Finals MVP goes to LeBron for the fourth time in his 17-year career, while the x-factor is Danny Green. Green is averaging 8.1 points on 36.4% from 3-point range. Lakers win it all in six games.

Tyler Taylor (LA bests Miami but it takes seven games to do so): I think this series has the chance to go the distance because the Heat have better 3-point shooting, more depth, and arguably the best coach in the league. With shooters like Dragić, Herro, and Robinson, Miami will never be out of the game but I'm not sure it'll be enough to pull off four victories. The Lakers defense will keep getting stops when needed and they'll be able to take Game 7 by a comfortable margin.