{"id":33981,"date":"2020-10-01T12:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T16:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/10\/01\/lakers-heat-nba-finals\/"},"modified":"2020-10-01T12:00:33","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T16:00:33","slug":"lakers-heat-nba-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/10\/01\/lakers-heat-nba-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Lakers Dominate Miami Heat in NBA Finals Game One"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a \u201cDavid vs. Goliath\u201d matchup, sometimes David gets off to a fast start. Sure, there\u2019s a feeling-out process between both parties. But the underdog, playing with no pressure, showcases their talents with ease. The Goliath takes time to adjust, before grappling their opponent and taking control of the moment.\u00a0<\/span>Such was the case in Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and Miami Heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Heat got off to the perfect start, taking a 23-10 lead in the first quarter. From converting threes to creating baskets in transition, the Heat took advantage of the Laker turnovers. Their talents were on full display. They weren\u2019t intimidated by the moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Lakers Dominate Interior in Game One of the NBA Finals\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Los Angeles Lakers Take 1-0 Lead in NBA Finals<\/h3>\n

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel called a timeout to gather his team. Coming out of that pause, the Lakers became the Goliath, thanks to unlikely players. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a> converted two critical three-pointers. Anthony Davis<\/a> made a driving layup, thanks to an assist from Rajon Rondo<\/a>. Even Alex Caruso<\/a>, the dynamic undrafted guard, made a three-pointer late in the first quarter, giving the Lakers their first lead of the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Lakers never looked back, propelling themselves to a 116-98 victory in Game 1. For Vogel, he credits those moments after the timeout in the first quarter, as the turning point for his team.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIn particular in the first quarter we were struggling to score a little bit,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Vogel said to reporters after the game.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u201cWe got some clean looks early, but couldn’t knock them down. But I think Kenny had 10 points in the quarter. When you’re struggling to score, for a guy to step up and make some plays like that on the offensive end, just gave us a big lift. With the guys that came in and subbed in, they helped turn that quarter around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How the Game was Won\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the big questions entering this series was how the Lakers superstars would matchup against the Heat interior defense. Bam Adebayo<\/a>, the rising star big man for the Heat, entered the Finals ranked seventh in rebounds per game (10.9) and player impact estimate (15.2). Using Adebayo\u2019s size to crowd the paint is a must if the Heat is going to slow down Davis and LeBron James<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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In Game 1, the Heat could not contain the James\/Davis pick and roll offense. Davis put up 34 points on 52.4 percent shooting, while James recorded 25 points on 52.9 percent from the field. It\u2019s the seventh time in the 2020 Playoffs that each has scored 25+ points with over 50 percent shooting from the floor, the most by any tandem in a single postseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI just wanted to come out with a lot of energy,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Davis said postgame.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u201cYou know, be aggressive on the offensive glass. Playing in a dunker’s area, when Bron and Do [Rondo] and AC [Alex Caruso] get in the paint, they got easy dump-offs. And not settling for too many jumpers, just being able to play in the paint and dominate the paint area. That was kind of my mindset coming into the game.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dominate the Paint, Knock Down Triples<\/h3>\n

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\ud83d\ude24 AD's getting it done on the glass and is up to 22 PTS! #NBAFinals<\/a> <\/p>\n

GAME 1 ON ABC pic.twitter.com\/PaXCqZuNMT<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n