NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Game 1 Injury Updates, Lineup and Predictions

Get yourselves a bowl of popcorn and a drink. This is the climax we all have been waiting for, and it all begins on Wednesday with Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Lakers LeBron James will join forces with Anthony Davis to face his former team, the Miami Heat. Both these teams hold the best record in their respective conferences and deserve to stand here. Neither of these teams was actually challenged in the Playoffs run, but that’s going to change.

Los Angeles Lakers injury report and lineup predictions

With the finish line not so blurry anymore, expect LeBron James to go in complete beast mode. The purple and gold should take pride in the prowess they’ve showcased on both ends of the court. Anthony Davis has been the perfect right-hand man for LeBron. He has not only taken the lead with his scoring but his stellar defense in the rim and the perimeter.

While the Lakers can bank on these two, we need to look at the supporting cast. When LeBron takes a breather, who will make sure the game doesn’t slip away?

Ever since Rajon Rondo’s return, he has become the third man they’ve been looking for. During clutch moments, Alex Caruso has stood out for the team, and with Dwight Howard finding his mojo again when playing the Nuggets, he can carry that forward in the Finals. With only Dion Waiters as probable for Game 1, the Lakers will enter with a healthy roster. This could pose a major threat to the Miami Heat.

The only thing the Lakers need is one big man alongside LeBron and Davis, and one guard to step up. If that’s the case, they are good to go. The predicted lineup would be LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, Anthony Davis, and Dwight Howard.

Miami Heat injury report and lineup predictions

The Heat knows exactly how to wear and tear their opponent down. We witnessed it when they played against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. Can they pull this off against LeBron James and Co.?

The Heat has a good combination of young and veteran players to handle any kind of duress. However, it is the perimeter shooting that will give the Heat an upper hand against the Lakers. Bam Adebayo was the key player for the Heat in the ECF. He was leading in score, rebounds, and assists, but he will have a very important responsibility to uphold- containing Anthony Davis.

Jimmy Butler is the inspiring leader of the Heat. He may not have been dropping buckets but surely stands out during clutch moments. The Heat’s supporting cast is no less with Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson. Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala’s veteran insights will be crucial in this important game. Chris Silva (pelvis) and Gabe Vincent (knee) are still questionable for the NBA Finals Game 1.

With that, the predicted lineup would be Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, and Bam Adebayo.

Game predictions

While both teams have shown promising qualities to win the game, the Lakers hold an edge over the Miami Heat. With more experience, better interior offense, and perimeter defense, the Lakers will take the lead in game 1 of the Finals.