NBA FINALS GAME 1 TALKING POINTS

By Ollie Nash and Liam Melrose

LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 59 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Photo: Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE

The force of LBJ and AD too strong for the Heat
LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 59 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists in Game 1 with the pair both shooting the ball at over 50 percent from the field. With Davis arguably playing the best basketball of his career to date, it’s hard to see how Miami can handle Davis and put time into LeBron, who we all know becomes an absolute beast in the Finals.
 
With Miami anchor Bam Adebayo leaving Game 1 with an apparent left shoulder injury, it’s set to be a serious test for the Heat to see if they can contain the pair of Davis and LeBron for the remainder of the series. Miami have been great all post-season, however the presence of AD and LBJ may prove to be too much to handle as the series progresses.
Liam Melrose

Miami’s injuries
Injuries are never good for a team in any sport at any time. They’re especially untimely during the NBA Finals. With games every second day, a shoulder injury to Bam Adebayo, twisted ankle for Jimmy Butler and foot injury to Goran Dragic won’t help Miami’s campaign.  
 
Reports are that Dragic could be out for the series. If Adebayo and Butler are able to play the remaining games, they won’t be fully healthy and with the rough and tough nature of the NBA Finals, it will make life even harder. Fingers crossed for quick recoveries, because the 2020 season deserves a tight contest to finish the year.
Ollie Nash

Injuries to Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler could not have come at a worse time. Photos: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images and The Associated Press

Lakers three-point shooting
After a slow start being down as many as 13 in the first quarter, it was the Lakers shooting from behind the arc that got them back in the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the way hitting two threes in the first term and the team followed.
 
The Lakers went 15-38 from the three point line, 11 of those makes coming in the first half to help them to a 17-point lead at half time, one they never relinquished. Shooting nearly 40 percent from three isn’t going to happen every game, but doing so in Game 1 no doubt instils confidence in the Lakers role players especially.
Ollie Nash
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Duncan Robinson needs to lift
Like all shooters, Duncan Robinson can be streaky. You are you can’t afford to go scoreless in an NBA Finals game though. Even more remarkably Robinson took just three shots in 27 minutes and failed to register an assist. With injuries to two fellow starters in Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic in Game 1, Robinson needs to lift. Often this post-season we have seen him have either 12-20 points or struggle to have an impact at all.
 
With the Heat struggling in Game 1 a spark from Robinson will be needed in Game 2.
Liam Melrose


​Cover Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images