The Los Angeles Lakers lost last night, 115-104 to the Miami Heat as they edged closer to the Lakers by making it a 2-1 series lead for them in the 2020 NBA Finals. The Lakers won in game two, going 1-1 in games against the Heat without Bam Adebayo or Goran Dragic on the floor. Both are starters for the Heat, with Adebayo arguably being their best player over Jimmy Butler and Dragic being a player who has always given the Lakers trouble throughout his career.
They were both designated as “doubtful” in games two and three, leaving not much to the imagination in regards to whether or not they were going to play. Dragic has a plantar tear in his foot, and has said that he’s “dealing with a lot of pain” (reported by Brad Turner of the LA Times). Adebayo’s chances of returning to this series have always been higher, with that thought process being confirmed today as Adebayo is now upgraded to “questionable” for game four. Dragic remains “doubtful” (per Shams Charania of The Athletic).
Heat’s Bam Adebayo upgraded to questionable for Game 4 of NBA Finals vs. Lakers. Goran Dragic is doubtful.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 5, 2020
Bam Adebayo said the following in regards to a potential return in game four (reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN):
“I’m getting better … I’m day to day. Tomorrow I could play. Tomorrow they could tell me no”
It’s been sort of obvious that Adebayo has wanted to play in these last two games, but I’m sure that the Heat organization wants to protect the long-term value of their asset, as they don’t want their young superstar to mess up something in his neck/shoulder that may last the rest of his career.
Dragic sounded even more down on his chances to play tomorrow, saying he has “no timetable” for his return as well as the following from Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel:
Asked if he can return during NBA Finals, "If I'm honest, I don't know."'
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 5, 2020
We will see if Adebayo can return tomorrow, but one thing is for certain. The Heat can beat the Lakers without him, which means the Lakers should probably be scared if he is available to play. He presents another defensive option against Anthony Davis, who already had a poor performance in game three with early foul trouble and only 15 points.
Danny Green
There aren’t any worrisome injuries listed on the Lakers’ report, but Danny Green has apparently been dealing with a hip issue that he was asked about today. He said the following to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN:
Asked if he can return during NBA Finals, "If I'm honest, I don't know."'
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 5, 2020
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