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NBA Finals: Key questions and predictions for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

NBA Finals Key matchup: Anthony Davis vs. Bam Adebayo

Big men are not a dying breed. They’ve simply evolved in recent years to check off new boxes of impact, shooting, handling and passing at one end while guarding all five positions at the other. To put faces to this new breed is to highlight the two All-Star bigs who should see plenty of each other throughout these Finals.

Anthony Davis has been otherwordly in the biggest playoff run of his career. He’s averaged 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, the superstar who finally has the platform to let his game do all the talking.

Word has not gotten out on Davis’ spot within LA’s lineup for the Finals. The starting power forward throughout the regular season and first round, AD moved down to center to combat the Houston Rockets’ micro ball before sliding back up to avoid a taxing matchup with Nikola Jokic.

Whether Davis starts in the middle or not, Bam Adebayo is likely to draw the primary assignment while Jae Crowder tussles to keep JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard off the offensive glass.

The fulcrum to Miami’s handoff-based offense, Adebayo is also the Heat’s do-everything and guard-anyone defender. He’s agile enough to stay close to those who attack from the perimeter yet possesses the strength and stubbornness to avoid being bullied down low. He showcases both in the play below during Miami’s 95-80 loss to the Lakers back on Nov. 8.

According to NBA.com, AD was 6-of-14 when Bam was the closest defender during their two regular-season meetings, drawing just a single shooting foul.

Stopping a talent the caliber of Anthony Davis will require a lot more than the All-Defensive Second Team defender. As the first point of attack, however, against a player who manifests so much of his team’s title hopes, the matchup doesn’t get more scintillating than this.

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