Miami Heat vs LA Lakers: 5 factors that could decide the outcome of the 2020 NBA Finals

The 2020 NBA Finals matchup has finally been decided, with the LeBron James-led LA Lakers to take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in the Orlando Bubble.

The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites going into the first game of the series, but the Heat are not a team that will go down easily. It's all perfectly set up for a mouth-watering NBA Finals 2020.

On that note, here are five factors that could decide the outcome of the 2020 NBA Finals series between Miami Heat and the LA Lakers.

#1 NBA Finals 2020: LeBron James' performances for the LA Lakers

LeBron James will be pivotal in the outcome of this series.

It may be an obvious statement to make, but Lebron James will be absolutely pivotal to the outcome of this series.

James has been consistently outstanding for the LA Lakers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, putting in amazing performances every night. It could even be said that the team is more dependent on him than anybody else, something that could prove to be a serious problem against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals 2020.

Past vs. Present 👑 @KingJames pic.twitter.com/xX4hTGhPMt

— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2020

The Miami Heat have shown the ability to completely lock down some of the best players in the NBA, which include the likes of Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If the team could find a way to shut down LeBron James in a similar way, we could see the LA Lakers crumble before our very eyes, and that could effectively decide the series in the Miami Heat's favor.

However, LeBron James is arguably the best player in the NBA for a reason, which means that his former team will have their task cut out.

#2 NBA Finals 2020: The Miami Heat's outside shooting

The Miami Heat's shooters will have to perform to the best of their abilities.

The Miami Heat's offense largely relies on the team making their 3s to spread the floor. If the franchise wishes to win the NBA Finals 2020, they will need their shooters to be firing on all cylinders.

That's because the LA Lakers have one of the best interior defenses in the league, which means that if the Miami Heat's outside shot collapses, the entire team could follow suit.

Duncan Robinson sent this text to @clubtrillion in 2017.The Michigan senior was interested in sports media because he thought his basketball career was coming to an end.Three years later he’s in the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/R4ezPy5Zwg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2020

The likes of Duncan Robinson, Jae Crowder and Goran Dragic have done well up to this point for the Miami Heat but will have to perform at their best against the LA Lakers. An off-night for any of these three players could mean that the Heat could be cannon fodder for the Lakers.

#3 NBA Finals 2020: Anthony Davis will need to prove his worth

Anthony Davis can't afford any 'off' night against the LA Lakers.

Much like the Miami Heat's shooters, Anthony Davis' performances could make or break the NBA Finals 2020 for the LA Lakers.

The Miami Heat have shown that they're good in putting teams away when there is only one player who is a possible threat.

Anthony Davis the last time the Lakers made the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/HrTHnYoAJW

— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) September 27, 2020

The Heat will go after LeBron James for sure as they recognize him as the LA Lakers' primary threat. However, the performance of Anthony Davis.could decide if the Miami Heat are able to overwhelm James and the Lakers or not.

If the LA Lakers' second star doesn't get going in important moments during the series, the Lakers' offense would lose a lot of bite, something that could offer a serious advantage to the Miami Heat.

#4 NBA Finals 2020: The performances of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for the Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have been the leaders for the Miami Heat.

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have not only stepped up their games significantly during the 2020 NBA Playoffs but have also led the team wonderfully up to the Finals. The duo's performances would undoubtedly be key to the Miami Heat's prospects of winning the championship.

The LA Lakers, Miami's final opponents, have one of the best interior defenses in the NBA. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis waiting inside the arc, it could be nearly impossible for the Miami Heat to get past the Lakers duo on too many occasions.

we been underdogs our entire life, everybody up here got a chip on their shoulder. - @Bam1of1 pic.twitter.com/5AyYX6HN7x

— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) September 28, 2020

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are excellent inside players who will look to shatter the inside and hope to get easy buckets close to the rim when the team's three-ball gets going.

However, it could be a high risk-high reward strategy against the LA Lakers. If Butler and Adebayo could breach the Lakers' rearguard, Miami Heat could have a firm grip in the series. But if they fail and get shut out, we could see the LA Lakers completely neutralize the Miami Heat's offense and take the series.

#5 NBA Finals 2020: The performances of the LA Lakers' role players and bench

The LA Lakers' bench could prove pivotal in deciding this series.

While the LA Lakers do largely rely on LeBron James, that doesn't mean they can't compete at all without him.

There will be moments when James and Davis would need rest. That's when the team's second unit will have to step up and prove themselves. Rajon Rondo, Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Popo have all put up amazing performances, but they have not been consistent enough.

Moreover, Danny Green has been streaky throughout the entire 2020 NBA Playoffs. With the 33-year-old being one of the LA Lakers' main outside threats, the franchise will hope that he performs at his best against the Miami Heat.