NBA Finals 2020: Live score, updates, news, stats and highlights...
But that’s not what made them unstoppable in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
IN ADDITION Miami had made nine of 12 shots halfway through the first quarter of Game 1 when Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel called time-out with his team down 23-10.
By the end of the first, the Lakers were up 31-28. And by half-time, Los Angeles led 65-48 as the Heat came crashing back to reality.
Los Angeles led by as many as 32 points in third quarter as the Heat, who saw two stars exit the game injured, were unable to find any offence after a hot start.
ALSO Butler, who finished with 23 points, was the only Miami player who could find consistent offence when Los Angeles turned it up defensively.
Kendrick Nunn, who came on in garbage time, found his shot to finish with 18 quick-fire points; a positive sign for the Heat who will need the rookie to step up if Dragic is to miss time.
Jae Crowder, who finished with 12 points, hit three early three-pointers before slowing down, and Tyler Herro was the only other Heat player in double digits with 14.
But it was a different story for the purple and gold; Los Angeles only really cooling down once the game was already out of reach for the Heat.
Through two quarters, Los Angeles shot 56.4 percent from the field, made 11 of 17 three-pointers, and lifted defensively to turn the NBA Finals opener on its head.
Davis led the way with 34 points, while James stacked the box score with 25 points, 13 boards, and nine assists.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 10 first quarter points as he combined with Danny Green for five three-pointers and 24 points.
Meanwhile, Alex Caruso (10 points), Rajon Rondo (7 points), and Markieff Morris (8 points) all made winning plays when the game was still in the balance as Miami’s key bench players came up short.
“We know they’re a great team; they’re here for a reason,” Davis said of the Heat post-game.