NBA Finals: 3 wild predictions for Game 5 between the Heat and Lakers

3 predictions for Game 5 of the NBA Finals

Heading into Game 5 of the NBA Finals, it will be an elimination game for the Los Angeles Lakers as they try to clinch their 17th NBA championship while the Miami Heat will be looking to extend to series to a potential Game 6. Here are three wild predictions for Game 5.

Alex Caruso plays the role of Robin

Anthony Davis who? Alex Caruso will have a big game for the Lakers this Friday and be the No. 2 guy for the night. Miami will use more zone with Bam Adebayo back in the fold, which means more threes for the Lakers. Caruso will find a rhythm shooting the ball from deep in this game. The guard will hit eight shots from behind the arc…that’s right…eight 3’s.

LeBron will produce his regular high assist numbers, but will specifically hunt for Caruso once he splashes a few. This goes for Anthony Davis as well. The Lakers’ center will get doubled in the post and midrange – creating open shots for Caruso (which he will knock-down).

On top of this, Caruso is going to have a great defensive game. He’ll play a big role in stalling the Heat’s Tyler Herro from going off (I told you we were making wild predictions). The Lakers’ guard will be glued to his opponent like tree sap (you ever get that stuff on your fingers as a kid?) while curling around the Heat’s notorious picks and off-ball action.

Caruso will end the game with a stat line of 28 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two turnovers. Because, why not?

Kelly Olynyk pulls the chair on Anthony Davis

This prediction might be a bit biased, as Kelly Olynyk and I are from the same hometown (Kamloops, BC). However, putting that aside for a second, I truly believe Olynyk will get Davis to commit some silly fouls. Just like in Game 3, Davis will pick up a couple of early ones – limiting his minutes through key portions of the game.

Kelly will come in off the bench looking to make a positive impact right away – redeeming himself for his Game 5 play. This will come in the form of attacking Davis and causing him to commit several defensive fouls. Olynyk will frustrate the Laker’s big man by catching him off guard with fakes and positioning.

Davis’ foul trouble could be big, especially if it’s a tight game down the stretch. So why not make another wild prediction – Olynyk will take two charges on Davis in the fourth quarter…yeah I wrote it…two charges in the final frame. And guess what? They’ll come at the start of the fourth quarter. These two fouls will make Davis timid to attack on offense and limit his assertiveness defensively in closing time.

The Miami Heat hold together and win Game 5

Everyone wants to watch more basketball, right? Well, let’s cater to this prediction to the fans who want to witness and enjoy some more high-level NBA basketball.

I predict the Lakers come out strong in the first half with a barrage of 3-pointers, but can’t find the rim in the back half of the game. The Heat will take advantage of these missed shots and find easy points in transition.

The Miami Heat will stay calm and collective throughout the game. With leadership from Jimmy Butler, great plays from Andre Iguodala, as well as sharp shooting from Jae Crowder and Duncan Robinson they hold on for the win.

Game. Six. Will. Happen.