Playoffs Day 37 As LA Dominates Game 1! 9.30.20

It’s Day 37 of the NBA Playoffs and it’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Heat.

It’s Day 37 of the NBA Playoffs and it’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Heat.


Miami Heat

The Heat lost Game 1 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.


The Heat have been the underdogs of these NBA Playoffs and now they face their toughest challenge yet against Lebron and the Lakers. But the Heat certainly won’t back down from this challenge as they try and beat the odds to win a title. Well they’ll have to put that on hold until Game 2 as the Lakers dominated. The Heat led by 13 out of the gates and it looked very promising. But the Lakers bench evaporated the lead almost immediately. The Heat never got back into this game and they lost 116-98, and they trail 0-1 in the Finals.

Offensively the Heat were solid as they shot 43% from the field and 31% from 3. Miami was also 11/14 from the free throw line. The Heat had just 8 turnovers. Miami also had 44 points in the paint.

Defensively the Heat were terrible as LA shot 45% from the field and 40% from 3. LA was also 25/27 from the free throw line. Miami forced just 12 turnovers. The Heat allowed 36 points in the paint.


Jimmy Butler had 23 points and 5 assists. Kendrick Nunn had 18 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Tyler Herro had 14 points off the bench. Jae Crowder added 12 points.


Conclusion

The Heat fell apart after they built that 13-point lead in the first quarter. Jimmy Butler was great in the first half but hurt his ankle and was never the same. Bam hurt his shoulder and never got going. Goran Dragic hurt his foot early. Kendrick Nunn finally showed up, when it didn’t matter. The Heat’s defense was horrendous as LA hit 11 3’s in the first half and AD ran wild. The Heat have to play much better and change a lot in order to turn the tide in this series.


LA Lakers

The Lakers won Game 1 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.


The Lakers dominated through the Western Conference and now were the heavy favorites vs the Cinderella story Miami Heat. Lebron James has been the best player in the world during these playoffs, and alongside AD the Lakers have been unstoppable. Can this same stuff carry over into the Finals? Yes, yes it can. The Lakers came out flat and trailed by 13 early. But the Lakers bench came right back and LA never looked back. They dominated, winning 116-98 and taking a 1-0 series lead in these NBA Finals.

Offensively the Lakers were superb as they shot 45% from the field and 40% from 3. LA was also 25/27 from the free throw line. The Lakers had just 12 turnovers. The Lakers also had 36 points in the paint.

Defensively the Lakers were sub-par as they shot 43% from the field and 31% from 3. Miami was also 11/14 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced just 8 turnovers. The Lakers also allowed 44 points down low.


Anthony Davis had 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Lebron James had 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. KCP had 13 points. Danny Green added 11 points. Alex Caruso had 10 points off the bench.


Conclusion

The Lakers did what they were supposed to do, dominate. They started slow but when they got their legs underneath them, it was game over. The Lakers reigned in 3’s and AD and Lebron dominated. Defensively the Lakers were great all night long and made multiple members of the Heat struggle. The Lakers to repeat these type of performances throughout the rest of the Finals.


What Are Your Thoughts From Day 37? Leave A Comment Down Below!

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