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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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

NBA Finals Question No. 3:  How do the Lakers counter Miami’s zone?

The all-important question when trying to take down the Miami Heat in these playoffs, one the Boston Celtics couldn’t answer, looking baffled and stagnant in the most crucial moments.

Beating any zone starts with getting the ball into the high post, shifting defenders out of position that creates scoring opportunities. LA generated less than a point per possession against Miami’s zone during the regular season but found success with Anthony Davis at the free-throw line.

Davis has put forth a master class on anti-analytics shooting in these playoffs, shooting over 50.0 from both the non-restricted area paint and the mid-range. Bam’s failure to step up in the play above allows AD to fire immediately after facing up. If Adebayo is dropped into the restricted area, Davis can take one dribble and unleash the floater he’s converted throughout the postseason.

Similar success could potentially be had by swapping Davis for James in that nail action. LeBron has struggled against zones in the past, most notably in the 2011 Finals when the Dallas Mavericks made him look timid and indecisive.

That was nine years and three championships ago for James, who’s spent the time since fine-tuning an IQ that’s gathered enough data to know how to counter every defense he sees. Get him in the middle of the floor and his vision will locate the open shot.

Another way the Lakers can further break down the Heat’s zone is through the use of their second big. Having either McGee or Howard in the dunker’s spot with AD at the nail puts Miami’s middle defender in a no-win situation. Stay home and Davis gets a shot he’s knocked down with consistency. Step up and the lob is open.

Zones are traditionally susceptible to offensive rebounds because defenders are typically left scrambling to attach to an offensive player. If LA’s bigs will be brought into Miami’s handoff game at one end, they have to make a concerted effort to draw fouls and earn extra possessions at the other.

The Heat like to have their wings stationed topside on the zone, leaving the guards to protect the glass LA’s bigs are a near-guaranteed to crash. No coincidence, then, that the Lakers brought in a combined 24 offensive rebounds in their two regular-season meetings with Miami — they averaged 10.7 a game during the regular season.

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