The Los Angeles Lakers picked themselves up after a slow start in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat to grab an impressive 116-98 win on Wednesday. The Heat built a 23-10 lead in the first quarter, but after that, it was all Lakers, who led by as many as 32 points on their way to victory.
Anthony Davis put up another scary playoff performance, dominating both inside and posing a huge threat to the Heat’s defense all night long as he made 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
LeBron James wasn’t as aggressive on the night but he was the mastermind who orchestrated the Lakers’ offense as he notched his own 25 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in yet another NBA Finals win.
Watch Game 1 highlights of the NBA Finals below
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he Lakers seized control of the game in the second quarter, blowing the game open in the third.
And they began the third on a 22-7 run for an 87-55 lead after a Davis dunk midway through the period, holding a 93-67 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lakers, who trailed by as much as 13 in the first quarter, used a 13-0 surge capped by a Markieff Morris three-pointer for a 54-43 advantage with five minutes remaining in the second period. They increased the margin to 65-48 going into the break. Los Angeles outscored Miami 34-20 in the second quarter.
Overall, the Lakers outshot the Heat 45.2 percent to 42.7 percent.
Los Angeles made 25-of-27 foul shots while Miami were 11-of-14 at the line.
The story for the Heat on the night however was the injury bug.
Both Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo exited the game while Jimmy Butler’s being apparent ankle injury that he suffered just before halftime hampered him.
Butler, however, played through his injury and led the team with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Miami will hope its key players will be able to return for Friday’s Game 2 while the Lakers will look to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
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