The Los Angeles Lakers blew out the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals 116-98, showing why the purple and gold have been favorites all season to bring home the championship.
Anthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points while grabbing 9 rebounds, and handing out five assists as the Lakers went up by as many as 32 points in route to a 1-0 series lead.
LeBron James scored 25 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out nine assists in a balanced attack by LA.
Miami started off strong going up by as many as 13 points in the first quarter, but the Lakers quickly closed that gap going on a 25-5 run to end the quarter.
The rest of the night belonged to LA.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope filled in as the third scorer for the team racking up 13 points and the Lakers’ bench had a strong showing.
The Lake Show shot just over 45 percent from the field and 30 percent from the arc.
Miami can take some solace in defeat.
The 1985 Showtime-era Lakers’ lost to the Boston Celtics by 34 points in Game 1 of that series before rallying to win the title in six.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points, but Miami’s Goran Dragic and defensive star Bam Adebayo both left the game with injuries.
Game 2 tips off Friday night at 9pm EST.