The first game of the NBA Finals is in the books. And it wasn’t a good start for the Miami Heat. After trailing the Heat by 13 points in the first period, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the game the rest of the way. The Lakers took advantage of the smaller Heat by dominating them inside the paint. Los Angeles lead by as many as 32 points on Wednesday. The Lakers now lead the series 1-0.
Here are my takeaways from Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers.
Anthony Davis Dominant
The Heat are going to need a new plan for Anthony Davis. The Lakers star was dominant on both ends of the floor. He helped keep Miami’s guard from attacking the paint. Offensively, he overpowered anyone the Heat threw at him defensively. The Heat didn’t put Bam Adebayo on Davis as much in Game 1. Adebayo started on Dwight Howard. But, the Heat are going to have to find a way to slow down Davis. Or, at the very least, make it tough on him.
Davis had 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
Lakers hunt Tyler Herro
Tyler Herro has been a key contributor for the Heat all postseason. However, he had a terrible game in his first NBA Finals appearance. Herro played like it was his first Finals game. He moved too quickly on offense, often turning the ball over. His defense was even more concerning. LeBron James kept hunting Herro on the mismatches and Herro couldn’t stay in front of the other Lakers.
Herro finished the night with 14 points on six of 18 shooting.
Injuries to key players
The Heat entered the game fully healthy. However, they ended the night with injuries to three key players. Jimmy Butler twisted his ankle in the second quarter. Bam Adebayo picked up a shoulder strain injury and left the game in the third period. The most concerning one is the Goran Dragic injury. Dragic injured his foot in the first half and didn’t return to the game.
Butler seems likely to play in Game 2. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with Adebayo and Dragic.
Nunn back in the rotation
The one bright spot for Miami on Wednesday was Kendrick Nunn. Nunn came into the game and was able to get into a rhythm. Nunn knocked down his jumpers and attacked the basket. He looked more like the Nunn that played well in the regular season. Depending on Dragic’s status, the Heat are going to need him to play in this series.
Nunn had 18 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Next: Game 2 is on Friday. Tip-off begins at 9 p.m. ET.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
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