The Los Angeles Lakers lived up to their lofty billing after they demolished the Miami Heat, 116-98, in Game 1 of the best-of-seven NBA Finals on Thursday, October 1.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe series-opener of the much-awaited Finals turned out to be a yawner of a match as the Heat were only in the game in the early part of the first quarter.
Miami took off to a fast start and were quick to take a baker’s dozen lead, 23-10.
But the moment they stepped on the gas, there was no stopping the Lakers.
Led by Anthony by Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and LeBron James, the Lakers clawed back and in a blink of an eye stole the lead, 31-28, at the end of the first half.
The Lakers turned up the heat on Miami in the second quarter and built a double-digit spread at the half, 65-48.
It was all Lakers from that point on.
Davis was superb in his first NBA Finals game, leading the Lakers with 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
James finished with a near triple-double of 25 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a block.
Pope added 13 points, Danny Green had 11, while Alex Caruso tallied 10.
Jimmy Butler led Miami with 23 points.
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