Through two games of the 2020 NBA Finals, the biggest source of drama has been determining which Lakers star is the top candidate for Finals MVP.
Anthony Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds) and LeBron James (33 points, nine assists, nine rebounds) dominated an injury-plagued Heat team in Game 2, guiding the Lakers to a 124-114 win and a 2-0 series lead. Los Angeles picked apart Miami's defense Friday night, shooting over 50 percent from the field and scoring 56 points in the paint (44 from Davis and James).
Heat star Jimmy Butler totaled 25 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, but he didn't have Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic by his side, as both were ruled out with injuries prior to tipoff. If they cannot return for Sunday's Game 3, this could be a short series.
Sporting News provided live updates from Game 2 between the Lakers and Heat. Check out all of the highlights you missed right here.
Lakers vs. Heat score
Game 2 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score |
Lakers | 29 | 39 | 35 | 21 | 124 |
Heat | 23 | 31 | 39 | 21 | 114 |
Lakers vs. Heat updates, highlights from Game 2
(All times Eastern)
Final: Lakers 124, Heat 114
11:30 p.m. — A valiant effort by the Heat, but just too much Anthony Davis and LeBron James. The Lakers' dynamic duo combined for 65 points, and Los Angeles is now up 2-0.
AD puts the exclamation point on the @Lakers Game 2 win! #NBAFinals
— NBA (@NBA) October 3, 2020
LAL takes a 2-0 series lead! pic.twitter.com/Nd8guCY7DA
11:15 p.m. — Wow. What an incredible block by Kendrick Nunn.
Kendrick Nunn comes across for the SWAT! #NBAFinals @MiamiHEAT 101@Lakers 113
— NBA (@NBA) October 3, 2020
5:50 left in Game 2 on ABC pic.twitter.com/3GfZry5817
11:05 p.m. — One bright spot for the Heat: 29-of-30 on free throws. Jimmy Butler has made more free throws himself (11) than the Lakers have as a team (10).
End of third quarter: Lakers 103, Heat 93
11 p.m. — Udonis Haslem is doing his best to inspire this Heat squad. They are still in the fight despite Anthony Davis turning into Godzilla.
🗣️ UD giving the Heat a pep talk pic.twitter.com/JWQBGLkVfk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 3, 2020
10:45 p.m. — Here's a quick summary of the third quarter:
ANTHONY DAVIS
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2020
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
ANTHONY DAVIS
10:35 p.m. — Anthony Davis is just unfair. He has hit 11 of his first 12 field goal attempts.
AD rises up on the jumper and is feeling it... 9 PTS to start the 3rd, 24 total!#NBAFinals Game 2 on ABC pic.twitter.com/jhvWsouuK3
— NBA (@NBA) October 3, 2020
Halftime: Lakers 68, Heat 54
10:15 p.m. — If the Heat want to stay in this game, they can't keep giving the Lakers easy attempts at the rim. Los Angeles is 17-of-20 on 2-pointers so far.
Rondo stays a few steps ahead 👀
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2020
(📺: ABC) pic.twitter.com/y3JhsLpVfa
10 p.m. — Signs of life from the Heat. They are forcing a few more outside shots while playing zone, and they've cut the deficit down to four.
Andre above all 😤 pic.twitter.com/36AABeT1KF
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 3, 2020
9:50 p.m. — The Lakers are just everywhere defensively. Los Angeles has held Miami to 36.4 percent shooting from the field so far. The Heat are desperately missing Goran Dragic's ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
End of first quarter: Lakers 29, Heat 23
9:25 p.m. — Maybe someone should guard LeBron James?
Wow pic.twitter.com/5wACEWtdhh
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) October 3, 2020
9:15 p.m. — The lack of rim protection is already a problem for the Heat. The Lakers have scored 12 of their first 14 points in the paint. An early six-point advantage for Los Angeles.
Dwight with that early energy 🔋
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2020
(📺: ABC) pic.twitter.com/WYQrwdJGe1
9:05 p.m. — What were you doing at 20 years old?
Youngest players to start a Finals game:
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 3, 2020
Tyler Herro: 20 years, 256 days
Magic Johnson: 20 years, 264 days
Tony Parker: 21 years, 18 days
Daniel Gibson: 21 years, 105 days
Johnny Davis: 21 years, 213 days
8:50 p.m. — LeBron James keeping LeBron James focused ahead of Game 2.
Bron & Bron pic.twitter.com/Nx1yiGejRJ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2020
8:35 p.m. — With Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo out, the Heat are inserting Tyler Herro and Meyers Leonard into the starting lineup.
Your Game ✌️ starters. pic.twitter.com/5qLzxPi2LP
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 3, 2020
NBA Finals schedule 2020
(All times Eastern)
Date | Game | Time | National TV |
Sept. 30 | Game 1 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 2 | Game 2 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 4 | Game 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 6 | Game 4 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 9 | Game 5* | 9 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 11 | Game 6* | 7:30 p.m. | ABC |
Oct. 13 | Game 7* | 9 p.m. | ABC |
* If necessary