LeBron James, Jimmy Butler
Photo: Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports

Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith believes the Miami Heat could challenge the Los Angeles Lakers should the two teams meet in the NBA Finals.

“We still assume that the Lakers are gonna come out of the West even though we can’t sleep on the Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray don’t let them feel disrespected. We know the Denver Nuggets can ball. We know they can this a series in the Western Conference. They win Game 4 tonight,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.

“But assuming and being presumptive and I’m thinking that LeBron James going to end up in the Finals. Let me put the world on notice. It is not a foregone conclusion that they would beat a Miami Heat squad.”