Lakers Dominate Game 1
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat, 116-98, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Heat came out strong and amassed a 13-point lead mid way through the first quarter, but the Lakers rallied back to grab a three-point lead heading into the second. Things went downhill for the Heat from there, as they were outscored by 14 in the second quarter and trailed 17 at halftime. To make things even worse, Goran Dragic suffered an injury to his foot in the second quarter and did not return for the second half. The third quarter brought more domination by the Lakers, as they outscored the Heat by nine points in the quarter, but it also brought another injury for the Heat, as Bam Adebayo was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury. Jimmy Butler also suffered a couple turns of the ankle but managed to continue playing. The Lakers led by as many as 32 points in the third quarter and took a comfortable 26-point lead into the final frame. Despite the circumstances, the Heat kept battling in the fourth and managed to outscore the Lakers by eight points in the quarter, however, it was not nearly enough to negate the dominant performances of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Davis led the Lakers with 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 38 minutes of action. LeBron James followed up with 25 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green and Alex Caruso also scored in double digits for Los Angeles. The Lakers shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-38 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals, in 33 minutes. Kendrick Nunn followed up with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 20 minutes off the bench, while Tyler Herro chipped in 14 points, and Jae Crowder added 12 points.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, which gives the Heat a day to hope for the best for their injured players and also revisit their strategy for slowing down the dynamic duo on the Lakers. On the other hand, the Lakers will need to ensure they remain focused and not get ahead of themselves.
The Heat came out strong and amassed a 13-point lead mid way through the first quarter, but the Lakers rallied back to grab a three-point lead heading into the second. Things went downhill for the Heat from there, as they were outscored by 14 in the second quarter and trailed 17 at halftime. To make things even worse, Goran Dragic suffered an injury to his foot in the second quarter and did not return for the second half. The third quarter brought more domination by the Lakers, as they outscored the Heat by nine points in the quarter, but it also brought another injury for the Heat, as Bam Adebayo was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury. Jimmy Butler also suffered a couple turns of the ankle but managed to continue playing. The Lakers led by as many as 32 points in the third quarter and took a comfortable 26-point lead into the final frame. Despite the circumstances, the Heat kept battling in the fourth and managed to outscore the Lakers by eight points in the quarter, however, it was not nearly enough to negate the dominant performances of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Davis led the Lakers with 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 38 minutes of action. LeBron James followed up with 25 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green and Alex Caruso also scored in double digits for Los Angeles. The Lakers shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-38 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals, in 33 minutes. Kendrick Nunn followed up with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 20 minutes off the bench, while Tyler Herro chipped in 14 points, and Jae Crowder added 12 points.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, which gives the Heat a day to hope for the best for their injured players and also revisit their strategy for slowing down the dynamic duo on the Lakers. On the other hand, the Lakers will need to ensure they remain focused and not get ahead of themselves.