Heat edge Lakers in thriller to keep NBA title dream alive

The Lakers still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two and can secure the title with a game-six victory on Sunday.

Jimmy Butler's triple-double propelled Miami to a 111-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday that kept the Heat alive in the NBA Finals.

Butler scored 35 points with 12 rebounds and 11 assists and the Heat withstood a 40-point performance from Lakers superstar LeBron James to deny Los Angeles a title-clinching win in the NBA's quarantine bubble at Orlando.

The Lakers still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two and can secure the title with a game-six victory on Sunday.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball while Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat plays defence
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat