For the first time in five playoff games, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered defeat while wearing the Black Mamba jerseys.
Game 5 duel between the Lakers and the Heat turned out to be another one for the books, with Miami taking a 111-108 win Friday (Saturday, Manila time) to get within 3-2 distance in the Finals.
The Lakers were slated to wear the jerseys dedicated to Kobe Bryant in Game 2, where they eventually won 124-114, and in Game 7.
But the LeBron James-led squad decided to switch uniforms Friday in the hopes of finishing the series on a high note.
The Heat though made sure that their foes won't get lucky twice, becoming the first team to beat the Lakers donning the Black Mamba jerseys and breaking a 4-0 playoff streak.
The first four wins of the Lakers came from defeating the Portland Trail Blazers twice in the first round, the Houston Rockets once in the following round, and the Heat during Game 2 of the Finals.
The Heat lived on for another day, thanks to the monstrous effort of Jimmy Butler with another triple-double stat line of 35 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 47 minutes, his longest playing time in the Finals series so far.
James, meanwhile dropped 40 points to go with 13 rebounds and seven assists.
Game 6 is set on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) with the Lakers still leading the series at 3-2.