The LA Lakers beat Miami Heat in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, 124-114 tonight, doubling their lead in the series to 2-0.
Lakers used the absence of Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo, and even though the Heat had a good performance on the offensive side of the ball, the purple and gold were successful.
The Heat zone defense was no match for LeBron and Anthony Davis, who once again bossed the Lakers’ attack. Right from the start, it was obvious that they control the tempo and pace of the game. Dwight Howard scored six of the first eight points for his team, before James took over the leading role.
The result following the first period was 29-23 for Frank Vogel’s boys, who extended the lead to 40-27, but the Heat managed to come back and cut that deficit.
That, however, didn’t last too long. The Lakers once again made a burst, which led them to a 68-51 lead with 49.3 seconds until the halftime. LBJ and the crew kept on pounding at the same pace in the third, reaching the highest edge of the game after LeBron’s floater with 7:53 until the end of the third, 84-66.
It was obvious in those moments that yet another loss is on the way for Miami, who simply couldn’t play at the level Lakers imposed. The rest of the match was routine for the LAL, who are just two steps away from winning the title now, first after a decade of waiting.
LeBron James was near a triple-double again with 33 points, and nine boards and rebounds each, shooting 14-for-25 from the field. Anthony Davis was even better, 15-for-20, for 32 buckets, and 14 boards. Rajon Rondo played superbly off the bench, reminding everyone what he was like when the Celtics won the title. The veteran posted a double-double 16 points and 10 dimes.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma had 11 points each.
With the Heat, Jimmy Butler had 25 points and 13 assists with 8 boards, missing just one of his 12 free-throw attempts. Kelly Olynik had 24 off the bench with 9 boards, while Tyler Herro scored 17 with seven boards, becoming the youngest starter ever in the NBA finals this Friday night. Still, that won’t be to big of a consolation for the youngster.
Kendrick Nunn added 13, while Jae Crowder had 12 points and seven boards.
Game 3 is set for this Sunday at 7:30 pm ET.