Defeat-tipped Miami shocked the favorite Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the first NBA Finals and went up to a 13-point lead in the first period.
After that, it was a fun end for Miami.
Before the first half was over, the Lakers had gone up to a 65-48 lead, and in the second, Miami was never even close to threatening the Lakers.
- It became difficult for us when we ended up at a disadvantage, said guard Kendrick Nunn at a press conference after the match.
Triple injuries
The loss was not the only thing that weighed on Miami after the match.
They also suffered several injuries.
Both Bam Adebayo (stretching in the left shoulder) and Goran Dragic (injury to the left foot) had to be eliminated during the match.
In addition, another of the team's best players, Jimmy Butler, injured his ankle at the end of the first half.
Butler continued to play, but was obviously affected by the injury, according to the news agency AP.
- I'm a little sore, but it's going to be okay.
A little treatment and I will be ready to drive again, he says, according to the news agency Reuters.
"Better than we showed"
Thus, Miami is for the first time this year under in a playoff series.
- We are much better than we showed tonight.
But you have to praise the Lakers, and we have to make sure we work
"Not physical enough"
According to Lakers star LebBron James, who accounted for 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in the game, the turnaround was due to the Lakers finally coming to life.
- We were not physical enough at the beginning of the match.
But you have to get a feel for how tough Miami is playing.
They slapped us in the face.
But we got a feel for how they play and then knew how tough we are going to play, he said at the digital press conference after the match, and continued:
- But from leading by 23-10, we started playing as well as we can.
We got up to speed and the passing game and made a really good match.
The best scorer in the match was Anthony Davis with 34 points.
- The bigger the moment, the more he improves the game, says Lakers coach Frank Vogel, according to the news agency AP.