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Lakers blow out Heat in Game 1 of NBA Finals behind Davis' 34

Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / Getty

Anthony Davis enjoyed a stellar NBA Finals debut with 34 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a resounding 116-98 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1.

With his 34-point performance, Davis tied Lakers legend Elgin Baylor for the third-highest scoring performance in a Finals debut in franchise history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

LeBron James added 25 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists for the Lakers to finish one dime shy of his 11th triple-double in the Finals. Game 1 marked James' 50th career Finals contest.

"It felt great. I've been preparing for this moment for quite a while," James said postgame. "Fans, no fans, the inner challenge for myself, and the way I prepared myself, it felt amazing to be playing in the Finals once again."

After trailing Miami by 13 points midway through the first quarter, Los Angeles went on a 77-32 run over the next 24 minutes to take control of the game. The Lakers shot 45.2% from the field, including 39.5% (15-of-38) from 3-point range.

Los Angeles' star duo of Davis and James attempted a combined 16 free throws - more than the entire Heat team (14) - en route to becoming the first Lakers teammates since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to each score 25 or more points in the same Finals game, according to NBA.com.

"I didn't need to give him no advice," James said postgame of Davis. "We've been preparing for this moment all season. He's been preparing for this moment all season. I'm happy to be on the same floor with him in the same uniform."

Jimmy Butler battled through a twisted ankle to finish with a team-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting for the Heat.

Though Butler didn't miss any time because of his ankle, teammates Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo each exited with injuries and didn't return.

Dragic reportedly suffered a plantar tear of his left foot but hasn't ruled out a return later in the series.

Meanwhile, Adebayo intends to play in Game 2 after suffering a shoulder strain, The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds reports.

Game 2 of the Finals is scheduled for Friday at 9 p.m. ET.

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