Los Angeles Lakers: 5 key questions entering the NBA Finals

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are squaring off in a long-awaited NBA Finals. What are the key questions to monitor as the matchup progresses?

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat might not be the NBA Finals matchup anyone expected. It might not even be the one most fans were rooting for entering the Conference Finals (the history of the Lakers-Boston Celtics rivalry would have given the matchup a certain appeal). It’s hard to argue, however, that the two best teams (at least in the bubble) won’t be battling for the title.

The Lakers bowled over the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets in a tidy five games apiece, while the Heat made it through the Eastern Conference in a sequential four, five, then six games against the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics.

There are plenty of questions worth considering as Game 1 approaches. Will LeBron James and Anthony Davis play extended minutes? How will the Lakers handle the pick-and-roll on both the offensive and defensive end? Can anything be gleaned from the teams’ two regular season matchups? These questions and more will be explored. They’re likely to dictate who comes out on top.

How many minutes can LeBron and AD Play for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Given that the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been pushed past five games yet in the playoffs, head coach Frank Vogel hasn’t had to enter any sort of desperation mode when it comes to managing minutes. But with a championship on the line against a formidable opponent in the Heat, will LeBron James and Anthony Davis see more time on the floor? Are several 40-plus minute outings for the pair conceivable?

James was no stranger to heavy minutes in his last playoff run with the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2017-18. He averaged 41.9 minutes, playing at least 40 in 16 of 22 contests. And despite the Lakers missing the playoffs last season, LeBron still had ten 40-plus minutes games (averaged 35.2 minutes).

Despite James’s per-game minutes average only dropping slightly to 34.6 under Frank Vogel this past regular season (35.0 in playoffs), the 40-plus games have been few and far between. In the regular season and playoffs combined, LeBron has only played at least 40 minutes on four occasions (and the two regular season games went to overtime).

43 minutes: 11/1 vs. Dallas (W 119-110 OT)

42 minutes: 2/12 vs. Denver (W 120-116 OT)

41 minutes: 8/18 vs Portland (game 1) (L 100-93)

40 minutes: 9/26 vs Denver (game 5) (W 117-107)

Davis has averaged 35.9 minutes in the playoffs (34.4 in the regular season) and has had eight 40-plus minute games over the entire season.

43 minutes: 11/1 vs Dallas (W 119-110 OT)

43 minutes: 12/19 vs Milwaukee (L 111-104)

40 minutes: 2/6 vs Houston (L 121-111)

42 minutes:  2/12 vs Denver (W 120-116 OT)

41 minutes: 8/22 vs Portland (game 3) (W 116-108)

40 minutes: 9/10 vs Houston (game 4) (W 110-100)

43 minutes: 9/22 vs Denver (game 3) (L 114-106)

41 minutes: 9/24 vs Denver (game 4) (W 114-108)

As the postseason progresses, Vogel has been a bit more willing to let his stars cross the 40-minute threshold, with Davis doing so in Games 3 and 4 against Denver and LeBron reaching this mark in the closeout game 5. It’s unlikely the coach’s initial game plan will include either player carrying this load, but if the game situation dictates it, hopefully, Vogel will be flexible enough to stretch their minutes.

Of course, it’s worth considering to what extent these extra minutes could have diminishing returns. Both players certainly looked tired at times against Denver, so it’s by no means clear how effective they’ll be in their “post-40” playing time. Still, this is the NBA Finals! It’s hard to believe that a slightly fatigued James or Davis wouldn’t still boost the Lakers’ chances with their presence on the court.

If the Los Angeles Lakers win every game in a blowout, then there will of course be no need to stretch their playing time. But if and when the Lakers lose a game, they should be going down with one or both of their superstars playing at least 40 minutes (assuming both players are willing to do so). Will Frank Vogel agree?