The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat took the court tonight for game one of the 2020 NBA Finals, and the first-ever “bubble championship.” Although the game wasn’t as close as expected, it’s still early, and if this season has been any indication, anything can still happen. The Lakers won 116-98.
Los Angeles Lakers Win Game One of the NBA Finals
First Half
The game started with the Lakers and Heat trading blows. Once both teams hit double-digit points, the Heat briefly took over. They took a 23-10 lead into the first commercial break. Bam Adebayo was tough on both ends of the floor, Jimmy Butler scored in bunches, and Goran Dragic was running fast-breaks with perfection. Adebayo picked up two quick fouls, however, and headed to the bench quicker than anticipated.
Of course, the Lakers aren’t new to adversity and responded with a 16-3 run. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, and Alex Caruso drained threes, while LeBron James dished the rock and Anthony Davis thrived in the paint.
The rest of the half remained hard-fought and competitive, but it was the Lakers who continued to have the edge after their run to end the first quarter. After a 30-point turnaround, the Lakers led by 17, 65-48, at the end of the half.
There were three statistical categories that the Lakers led at the end of the first half that proved to be major factors in their lead. They out-rebounded the Heat by 8 rebounds, had five more assists, and four more made threes on just one more attempt.
Davis and Caldwell-Pope provided a major scoring punch, combining for 28. James had nine points of his own, but most importantly seven assists. Rondo and Caruso also combined for 14 off the bench.
Butler played very well for the Heat. He finished the first half with 16 points on 70 percent shooting and even had four assists. Adebayo and Dragic didn’t provide as much in the second quarter, but Jae Crowder and Tyler Herro were able to put points on the board.
Second Half
Game one was decided in the third quarter. Dragic suffered a foot injury and did not return. Adebayo headed to the locker room. Butler was hobbling. Initial reports are suggesting that Dragic may be out for the remainder of the series. And, of course, Davis continued to cook. James even added an additional 12 points. The Lakers ended the third quarter up 26, with a score of 93-67.
Miami showed some fight in the fourth quarter and went on a few quick runs, but ultimately it wasn’t enough. Kendrick Nunn looked like his regular-season self, however, which will give Miami a boost down the road in the series.
The Lakers weren’t pressed to do much in the end. All they had to do was float in their lead and score the occasional bucket, and that’s exactly what they did. They also completely dominated the boards for this half and the entire game. James and Davis facing little intensity in the fourth quarter will bode well for them for game two. They finished game one winning by 18.
Top Performers of Game One of the NBA Finals
Davis stole the show for the Lakers tonight. He finished with 34 points and 9 boards. James can’t be forgotten either, as he quietly finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Danny Green, Caldwell-Pope, Rondo, Caruso, and Markieff Morris all contributed well.
Of course, the Heat were shorthanded with the Dragic and Adebayo injuries. Butler played well, going for 23 points and 5 assists.
Crowder chimed in for 12 points, Herro put up 14 points, and Nunn turned it up a notch with 18 points in the second half.
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