Lakers will switch to Black Mamba jerseys for Game 5

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to don their Black Mamba jerseys for Friday's potential championship-clinching Game 5 against the Miami Heat.

Los Angeles is a perfect 4-0 this postseason when wearing the alternate uniforms, which were designed in part by the late Kobe Bryant. The team was originally only scheduled to wear the jerseys for Games 2 and 7 of The Finals, according to The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

If the Lakers fail to close out the series Friday, they wouldn't be able to sport the jerseys in Game 6 since the Heat are penciled in to wear their black alternates that day, Reynolds adds.

Following the Game 2 win, LeBron James said the team hoped the uniforms were making the Bryant family proud.

"It's always special to be able to represent someone that meant so much, not only to the game but obviously to the Lakers organization for 20-plus years," James said.

Bryant's widow, Vanessa, said on Instagram that she approved of the team's decision to switch to the black uniforms.

A victory Friday would secure the Lakers' first NBA championship since Bryant led them to the second of back-to-back titles in 2010.