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The LeBron James and Anthony Davis-led LA Lakers capped off their 2019-20 NBA Playoffs run with an extremely dominant display against the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. With the franchise tying the Boston Celtics' record with 17 NBA titles after a great NBA Playoffs display, it is time to look at their best players' most dominant nights.
In this article, we will take a look at the 5 most dominant performances by Anthony Davis for the LA Lakers in the 2019-20 NBA Playoffs.
Anthony Davis' most dominant performances for the LA Lakers in the 2019-20 NBA Playoffs
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Although LeBron James deservedly took the NBA Finals MVP honors, it was Anthony Davis who led the NBA Playoffs in total points with 582 points (only two more than James but still impressive).
Davis was easily the best defender on the LA Lakers' roster and also led the team in offensive rating with 130.1 (estimate points scored by the team per 100 possessions with him on the floor) and the entire NBA Playoffs on win shares.
Without further ado, let us take a look at Anthony Davis' most dominant performances in the 2019-20 NBA Playoffs for the LA Lakers.
#5 LA Lakers' Anthony Davis vs Portland Trail Blazers - Game 5 - First round of the NBA Playoffs
After the Portland Trail Blazers became the biggest story of the NBA Bubble, many analysts were tipping them to beat the first-seeded LA Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. However, Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the LA Lakers had different plans.
Even after the Blazers took a commanding win in Game 1 behind a 34-point night from Damian Lillard and solid play from their starters, the LA Lakers found their stride and found themselves with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
In Game 5, the LA Lakers sealed the deal behind a stunning night from Anthony Davis. AD led all scorers with 43 points on 14 of 18 from the field, including four three-pointers, 11 of 13 free throws and 11 points in the fourth period. He also grabbed nine rebounds and recorded four assists on the night.
#4 LA Lakers' Anthony Davis vs Denver Nuggets - Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals - NBA Playoffs
Facing the surprising Denver Nuggets, Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers needed to take them as seriously as possible in order to avoid a repeat of the Nuggets' display against the LA Clippers.
Before Game 1, a big topic of discussion was Anthony Davis' matchup with Denver's Nikola Jokic. Right on queue, Davis embraced the challenge and showed the Nuggets he was on the floor to dominate.
AD scored 33 points through the game's first three quarters and helped the LA Lakers take a commanding lead in the game after three periods (103-79).
Davis finished the game with 37 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He made 12 field goals and 12 free throws during a solid night.
Also check out: Anthony Davis Contract Breakdown
#3 LA Lakers' Anthony Davis vs Denver Nuggets - Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals - NBA Playoffs
Anthony Davis' solid and dominant play from Game 1 of the 2020 Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets transcended into Game 2, and the LA Lakers secured a 2-0 lead.
Although he did not have his best night shooting from the field in the first half, Davis came firing on all cylinders for the second half, which was a usual Anthony Davis performance during the entire 2020 NBA Playoffs.
A 22-point second half for Anthony Davis kept the LA Lakers in the game, and it was the main reason why the team overcame LeBron James' unusual lackluster second half.
With the Nuggets and Jokic throwing their best punches at the LA Lakers in the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis' 10 points on 3/4 from the field and 2/2 from three was key to another LA Lakers' win.
The LA Lakers found themselves down by one point twice in the final minute but Anthony Davis refused to let them lose and made two go-ahead baskets in the final 30 seconds, including the game-winning three with the clock expiring and LA down by one.
#2 LA Lakers' Anthony Davis vs Miami Heat - Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals - NBA Playoffs
Although dropping Game 2 of the WCF to Denver was going to be a dangerous situation for the LA Lakers and their NBA Playoffs run, performing at an extremely high level in his first NBA Finals game is definitely deserving of praise.
Anthony Davis' first NBA Finals game was big. Many analysts wondered before the NBA Playoffs if he had it in him to perform under pressure, and he surely answered those questions.
In his first finals game, Davis led the LA Lakers to an easy win over the Miami Heat with 34 points (11/21 from the field), nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
#1 LA Lakers' Anthony Davis vs Miami Heat - Game 2 of the 2020 NBA Finals - NBA Playoffs
In Game 2 of the 2020 NBA Finals, Anthony Davis continued his hot streak of the NBA Playoffs and performed at a high level for the LA Lakers again.
An elite player, Anthony Davis joined stellar company after scoring at least 30 points in the first two NBA Finals of his career (Hal Greer, Rick Barry, Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant before him).
In Game 2, the short-handed Miami Heat (missing all-star Bam Adebayo and the team's leading scorer in the NBA Playoffs, Goran Dragic) came out fighting and refused to give up another loss as in Game 1.
However, Anthony Davis kept the pressure on and already had 30 points at the 4:36 minute marc of the third quarter, with the LA Lakers up by 18 points.
Davis finished the game with 32 points, making 15 of 20 shots from the field and 14 rebounds.
