1Q - Lakers only have two fast break points but they are getting early offense if not a transition bucket. Dwight Howard with six early points. His verticality is helping the Lakers break down the Heat even when matched up with Leonard. They're just so much more physical than the Heat. You just have no chance defensively against LeBron with the Robinson-Herro-Leonard trio. LeBron + AD picking apart Miami’s zone here with interior passing. Miami is playing this zone to spread out by trying to takeaway three. This won't be much of a game too much longer if they don't start to protect the paint. LAL took a 29-23 lead out of the 1st Q. They generated good looks inside and out, and shot 52% from the field despite missing a bunch of open 3’s (3 for 12), while MIA shot 41% on tougher looks.
2Q - Miami needed to do a way better job in these mins where LeBron is off the floor, unlike last game. That they did as it is just a four point game. Hell of an effort by Miami which never stops moving and screening on offense. Butler’s basically driving everything that happens within Miami’s offense to begin with. Jae just keeps plugging away. Fighting hard at the top of the zone and also making plays on the offensive end. Lakers defenders have to make a ton of decisions every possession. Lakers are getting completely wide open 3’s as Miami sells out to try and protect the paint. They have still found way to get to the rim, and are 10 for 13 in the paint. Meanwhile, they’ve allowed MIA only 7 attempts (4 makes) in their paint. Beautiful offense from the Lakers utilizing pass fakes against the zone. LAL held a 68-54 halftime lead. As much as MIA sold out to prevent interior scoring, LAL still outscored them 30-18 in the paint. No team has been able to keep LeBron and AD specifically away from the rim.
3Q - Gonna be tough for Miami if Anthony Davis can keep hitting those midrange shots at the baseline. Without Bam, the Lakers are getting whatever they want inside. Davis is utterly dominant. Heat are playing hard but this is just steady, incremental accumulation of one team being better than another. Heat found some offensive traction using Butler as the roll man, to take advantage of that switching defense. Miami found success hitting the roll man against the Lakers' screen coverage might force an adjustment or two. LAL led 103-93 after 3. Miami’s using Frank Vogel’s pre Game 1 key, the FT line, to hang around. As they were a +15.
4Q - The Lakers' switching has taken away many of their usual actions. Best offense has been Butler getting downhill. It’s cool seeing all the ways Tyler Herro has learned from Goran Dragic offensively. The ball-screen craft, the probing in lane to keep his dribble alive, attempting audacious finishes at the rim. Since the Lakers always defend and score inside, they can live with the odd off shooting night from KCP and Green. Rondo has hit some MONSTER shots this postseason. There was another one. Just some pretty terrible offense in the 4th. Miami's had plenty of chances to get this closer. Not getting quality looks. Big closeout here by LeBron, not quite Game 5 WCF vibes but he's hitting some big shots. Lakers fight off the Heat to win Game 2 by a score of 124-114 to take a 2-0 series lead.
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