NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 Injury Updates, Lineup and Predictions

The Los Angeles Lakers left no piece unturned in Game 1. Well, what do you expect? It is the NBA Finals. From what we have seen so far, the Lakers have usually lost the first game in other rounds. While it looks like a strategy to feel out the opposite team, the stakes were just too high that day. Things started off very well for the Miami Heat in the first half but then the Lakers recorded a 75-30 run, from which they just couldn’t recover. Will Miami Heat put up a better show in Game 2?

Miami Heat injury updates and lineup prediction

What’s worse than losing game 1? A possibility of losing out two key players in the remaining series because they got hit by injuries. Jimmy Butler (ankle) did not miss any crucial moments of the game. However, Bam Adebayo has a strained shoulder and is listed as doubtful along with Goran Dragic who went from questionable to doubtful for Game 2. This could be their biggest setback.

Nevertheless, Heat is not one to lose hope in. Their excellence on the free-throw line and shooting efficiency can bring them out of this slump. Kendrick Nunn’s performance was the one that stood out in Game 1 but Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson’s disappointing performance will give Erik Spoelstra a lot to think about.

Jimmy Butler is whom they count on during clutch moments and he never fails. But, he needs to take it up a notch and fill the shoes of their two missing pieces. He has to play as an all-rounder and come out more aggressive.

With that, the predicted lineup would be Kelly Olynyk, Jae Crowder, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, and Kendrick Nunn.

Los Angeles Lakers’ injury updates and lineup predictions

Their dominance in the previous game was absent when they were trailing by 13. And then LeBron James and Anthony Davis came back to form and as usual were the top scorers for the Lakers. Their biggest advantage was their size which they will make the most of in every game.

We can expect the Lakers to continue to charge at the interior. We should not be fooled by their slow starts, it seems like it’s only a facade to entrap their enemy. They dropped baskets very well and their free-throws added a ton of points to the scoreboard. They have shown incredible defensive and offensive prowess.

The Lakers have a healthy roster and the predicted lineup would be LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, Anthony Davis, and Dwight Howard.

Game predictions

Even if the Heat injured players came back on the court, the Lakers just have way too much fire. You can expect this to be a one-sided show and the Lakers taking a 2-0 lead.