Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers were just too much for the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the 2020 NBA Finals.
If there’s been a theme two games into the 2020 NBA Finals, it’s that the Los Angeles Lakers are simply too much for the underdog Miami Heat.
Anthony Davis made sure to drive that particular point home in Game 2 on Friday, as he tortured the shorthanded Heat defense for 32 points and 14 rebounds on 15-of-20 shooting. Everything he touched turned to buckets as he repeatedly torched an undersized Miami squad that was playing without Bam Adebayo (shoulder strain) and Goran Dragic (left plantar fascia tear).
While NBA Twitter was abuzz over AD’s dominant night, LeBron James helped put the Heat away as they tried to chip away at the deficit in the fourth quarter. The King with a game-high 33 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds on 14-of-25 shooting.
Jimmy Butler, who guaranteed a Heat victory in Game 2 despite missing two of his best teammates, finished with 25 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds. Kelly Olynyk added 24 points and 9 rebounds on 9-of-16 shooting off the bench, while Tyler Herro chipped in 17 points and 7 boards as he became the youngest player in NBA history to start in a Finals game.
Final
Miami Heat
114
Los Angeles Lakers
124
What else did you miss from Game 2 between the Lakers and Heat?
Despite taking an early 8-6 lead, the Heat watched the Lakers quickly respond with an 8-0 run. Los Angeles never trailed again the rest of the night, taking a 68-54 lead into the break as Davis and Playoff Rajon Rondo helped extend their lead.
Butler struggled from the field early on (2-for-7), but was getting his points by getting to the foul line eight times and also notching 5 assists. Unfortunately, none of Butler’s efforts were enough in the wake of AD’s dominant night, as he got up to 24 points on 11-of-12 shooting at one point in the third quarter. Heading into the fourth, the Brow had already recorded 30 points and 9 rebounds on 14-of-16 shooting in 30 minutes of action.
By that point, it was simply a matter of holding Miami off to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Heat resiliently pulled within 10 with 7:49 to go, and there was a slight momentum shift when Kendrick Nunn surprisingly rejected AD’s shot at the rim, but LeBron helped take care of business down the stretch to close it out.
Game 3 of the 2020 NBA Finals will take place on Sunday.