The Los Angeles Lakers are relying on a familiar formula early on in this huge game. The Miami Heat? They're relying heavily on Mario Chalmers. Chalmers, not LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, leads Miami in scoring with nine points as the Heat lead 29-26 after one quarter of play.
Chalmers has his points on three three-point field goals, two of which came very early in the game. James added eight points, two of which came on a buzzer-beating layup that just barely got out of his hands before the horn sounded. Wade has five points, while Bosh has four points on 2-2 shooting.
The Lakers are riding their horses early on. Kobe Bryant has a game-high 12 points on 4-5 shooting, while Pau Gasol has added eight points. The Lakers continue to pound the ball inside, even giving Ron Artest a number of looks in post-up situations, but despite that size, the Lakers are being outrebounded 11-6.