The Los Angeles Lakers made the break in the NBA final, rather easily winning Game 2 against the Miami Heat (124-114). Apart from 1’40 ” in the first five minutes of play, the Lakers have always led in this game, knowing how to accelerate every time Miami has had a good period. Even if the demonstration was not as impressive as in the first game (where the gap had risen to 32 points), the Heat could never come back to less than nine points after the break (101-92 , 36th then 108-99, 38th). For the first time in his career and on the occasion of his tenth attempt, LeBron James leads two wins to zero in the final.
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Deprived of Bam Adebayo (neck and shoulder injury) and Goran Dragic (foot), who hope to be back for Game 3, the Heat, despite a lot of courage and commitment, probably did not have the weapons to overthrow the Lakers. Kelly Olynyk, who “replaced” Adebayo, even if Meyers Leonard had been preferred as the holder (playing only 9 minutes), weighed well in attack with 24 points. But without its anchor, the Florida defense has suffered enormously.
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She, for example, conceded 16 offensive rebounds including eight for the only Anthony Davis who feasted in this context. Author of 34 points in the first game, the interior was still happy Friday with 32 points in just 20 shots. Davis started the match with an incredible 13 of 14 shooting, landing shots in all positions and situations, and not knowing a second miss until 33 minutes into the game.
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LeBron James accelerates in the last quarter
Giving first priority to his role as distributor and organizer (9 assists and 9 rebounds), LeBron James put a boost when his team struggled to return their shots. He scored 10 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter where the two teams nevertheless had a period of nearly 3’30 ” without a single point (39th-43rd). Note also the good performance of Rajon Rondo with a double double at 16 points and 10 assists, bringing a lot to the game of the Lakers, especially when he relieves James in the direction of the game.
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For Miami, Jimmy Butler hardly had time to go out in this game. In 45 minutes (out of 48 possible), the winger has accumulated 25 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds. The kind of performance he will absolutely have to replicate (or even better if possible) to give Miami a chance to snatch Game 3 on Sunday. Otherwise, the fate of this final will undoubtedly be played, since no team has recovered from a delay of three wins to zero in the play-offs.
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