The final NBA matchup between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade was a doozy of a game. It lived up to all expectations in terms of entertainment value, but it was an undeniably messy affair throughout. Messy isn't always bad though. It kept the game interesting as hell in the final seconds. Prior to this game, LeBron and Wade were 15-15 in their previous matchups against each other's team. This one was for all the marbles. LeBron ended up emerging victorious in a nail-biting 108-105 victory over his best bud. Big shout outs to Kyle Kuzma who is downright playing like the second star that LeBron desperately needs (33 pts, 7 rebs, 1 assist, 14/22 FG).
Check out the recap and takeaways below!
Game Recap
First Quarter
This game started sloppy as hell in the opening six minutes. You could tell this was going to be the theme going forward. The effort for both sides was there, but the execution was lacking big time. The first clusterfuck of a play culminated when JaVale McGee went hard in the paint battling for a tip-in at the rim, but ended up fumbling it and barreling into the courtside seats.
Dwyane Wade checked into the ballgame just a little beyond the halfway point to the tune of a standing ovation. The Lakers even played a tribute video to Wade at the start of this contest! The final time we were seeing LeBron vs. Wade matched up in an NBA game. The feeling of a showdown felt imminent as LeBron and Wade ran their respective offenses, darting in and out of the paint to set up their bigs for easy buckets. Lakers advantage at the end of the first 27-23.
Second Quarter
Miami came charging back to tie it at 29-all off a Derrick Jones Jr. drive to the hoop. Prior to that, Kyle Kuzma was cooking but once he and LeBron sat down it was like no one knew how to score for the Lakers. The Lakeshow sought to get baskets close to the rim but the Heat were doing an excellent job of blocking the shit out of them.
Shortly after a big Miami block, Svi Mykhailiuk came alive for the Lakeshow with a big three, steal, and dish to Hart in transition. Tie game again at 34. The Lakers were surging but Miami just didn't waver. Kelly Olynk went up hard and secured an and-1 to cap a 16-5 run that saw the Heat go up 41-34. Miami was running this zone defense that the Lakers just couldn't get a handle on. LA kept it within striking distance as we geared up for the second half 58-55.
Third Quarter
Kyle Kuzma continued his assault on the rim coming into the third. He already had accrued 21 with seven minutes to go in the third as we sat tied 65-65. Neither team could establish a rhythm offensively. They were all missing easy open looks with the occasional monster dunk sprinkled in between - just enough to hook your interest. LeBron looked like he was actually trying on defense tonight. Playing against his best buddy seemed to have that effect on him.
The Lakers looked like they were playing down to their competition. They should've been ahead by 15 if they were giving it their all but instead, they were only up one after three quarters, 84-83. Kyle Kuzma continued his scorching ways with 26 points while LeBron already had 17 to go with 6 boards and 10 dimes. By the way the Lakers were playing you'd think they were poised to turn it on in fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Prime D Wade came out to start the fourth with two quick drives to the rim. He nabbed back the Miami lead 87-86 before Lance Stephenson countered with a drive of his own. But that didn't seem to matter. Before we knew it the Heat were back up by six thanks to a couple Justise Winslow three-balls, 96-90 with 6:30 to play. LA was getting outrebounded in the game 46-39. It seemed like the Heat were always the ones grabbing that crucial board.
From that point on LeBron took the game in his hands, he hit a deep triple to cut the deficit to three, then slammed home a dunk followed up by a Kuzma assisted three. Lakers up 98-86, but Kelly Olynk quickly tied it with a cut to the rim.
My prediction on them turning it on in the fourth seemed to be coming true. Every gold jersey came alive all of the sudden, with the ball was zipping from person to person as they tried setting up humungous dunks. The crowd was loving every second! This would've been a great game to attend in person. Lakers up 103-98 with under four to play.
Crunch Time
Miami tied it up at 103 in the blink of an eye with a Josh Richardson three, but a Kuzma bucket in the paint gave them breathing room once again 105-103. Several plays later, Josh Richardson got to the line and iced two easy free throws to make it a one-point game. Lonzo got the ball on the other end and fired up a three - but missed!
The Heat had the chance to go ahead off a wild Dwyane Wade turnaround midrange shot - but he bricked! We just crossed the minute mark and it was turning into a wild ending! Dwyane Wade picked up LeBron on defense at the other end and the crowd went WILD. He shook free of Wade and shot a wild fadeaway of his own that missed badly. Richardson got the ball at the other end but coughed it up, and LeBron picked it up with the foul to boot. He went to the foul line with a chance to make it a three-point game and he hit them both! Miami ran a clusterfuck of a play for god knows who - but Wade ended up with the ball and LeBron D'ing him up! Wade threw up a desperation three which missed horribly. A couple other Heat guys threw up shots which had no chance - and LeBron grabbed the defensive rebound for the game-sealer. Lakers win 108-105.
Takeaways
Kuzma continues to play with the confidence of young star on the rise. The Lakers are all the better for it. He has the green light now because Brandon Ingram is out with the ankle injury, so someone has to step up to take these shots. Kuzma with the go ahead is a beautiful thing! I don't think he can continue it when Brandon Ingram gets back though. I'm still scratching my head on how this Laker squad can thrive with LeBron, Kuzma, Lonzo, and Ingram all playing up to their full potential.
One thing I do know is that Ingram's defense was sorely missed. He does an amazing job defending wings, and I know for a fact that bum Justise Winslow (28 points) would've had a drastically different game with Ingram D'ing him up on the perimeter. Ingram's fit is clunky on offense, but his value on the defensive side is undeniable.
All in all, it was a great bit of basketball to watch on a Monday night. LeBron and Wade's final tango in their official basketball careers. The way they defended each other at the end was reminiscent of an all-star game. The amount of hype generated reminded me of when LeBron and Kobe defended each other in Kobe's final All-Star game. I had a chance to go to this game but I went to the Spurs one instead (where LeBron scored 42 and led a fourth quarter comeback). That performance was amazing, but this one might've surpassed it in amazingness with the Wade sendoff.
Do you have a favorite LeBron/Dwyane Wade moment? Let me know below!
Comments