The NBA Finals are the biggest event in basketball, and the 2022 edition of the championship series was no exception. After an exciting season full of surprises, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets squared off in an epic seven-game series. In the end, the Lakers emerged victorious, claiming their first championship since 2010. But who were the key players and what were the stats that made the difference? Let’s take a look at the numbers that defined the 2022 NBA Finals.
Lakers’ Superstar Duo: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
The most obvious storyline of the 2022 NBA Finals was the incredible play of the Lakers’ star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James put in a standout performance, leading the Lakers in points (30.3 per game), rebounds (11.3 per game), assists (8.9 per game), and steals (1.7 per game). Davis was no slouch either, putting up 27.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Together, the duo combined for 57.8 points, 20.6 rebounds, 12.7 assists, and 3.2 steals per game to lead the Lakers to their 17th championship.
Nets’ Dynamic Backcourt: Kyrie Irving and James Harden
The unstoppable backcourt of the Nets, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, was the driving force behind the team’s impressive run to the Finals. Irving averaged 30.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while Harden contributed 25.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Together, the duo combined for 55.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 15.5 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.
The X-Factor: Kyle Kuzma
The Lakers’ X-Factor in the NBA Finals was third-year forward Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma came up huge in the series, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His ability to provide a spark off the bench and hit timely shots when the Lakers needed them most made him an invaluable asset for the team.
Bench Play
The Lakers had the edge in bench production in the NBA Finals, outscoring the Nets’ reserves by an average of 31.4 to 17.7 points per game. The Lakers’ bench was led by point guard Rajon Rondo, who averaged 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The Nets got solid contributions from guards Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, who combined for 15.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Team Stats
The Lakers finished the series with the edge in several key statistical categories. They outscored the Nets by an average of 118.1 to 107.7 points per game, while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range. The Lakers also had the advantage in rebounding (44.1 to 37.7 per game) and assists (26.9 to 21.9 per game).
Conclusion
The Lakers’ incredible duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis was the driving force behind their championship, but it was the team’s depth and balanced production that made the difference in the end. Kyle Kuzma and the Lakers’ bench provided a huge spark, while the team’s superior shooting, rebounding, and passing made them the clear favorite in the series. With the 2022 NBA Finals in the books, the Lakers can look back at a dominant performance that earned them their 17th championship.