Well, so much for all the people who doubted the Los Angeles Lakers. Frank Vogel's team proved that they're for real with a huge statement win over the Miami Heat, dominating them for most of Game 1 of theNBA Finals even when they were at full strength.
The Heat jumped to a big lead early in the first quarter but once the Lakers tied it up a couple of minutes later, it all went south for Erik Spoelstra's side, which also lost a couple of soldiers due to injury.
Anthony Davis lived up to the expectations and proved again that trading the young players for him was worth it, scoring a game-high 34 points with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks on 11/21 shooting and a +/- of 23.
LeBron James nearly had a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, 9 dimes, and 1 steal, while even Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, and Alex Caruso scored in double-figures. Shockingly, not a single Lakers player had a negative +/-.
The Miami Heat lost Goran Dragic - likely for the series - with a torn plantar fascia, while Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle badly twice and Bam Adebayo hurt the same shoulder that bothered him in the Eastern Conference Finals.
That makes this uphill battle almost impossible for the Miami Heat, as they could be without 2 of their top-3 scorers and minute-getters. Needless to say, the internet wasn't quiet during this purple-and-gold fest and potential sweep.
Funniest Memes And Reactions From The Lakers' Huge Win Over The Heat In Game 1 Of The NBA Finals
If there's a team that can come back and fight their way to a win, that's the Miami Heat, especially under Spoelstra's command. Then again, it'll be quite tough for them if they're not at full strength. That's the kind of thing you never want to see at any stage, especially in the NBA Finals.
