Lakers: Historical numbers that prove LA will win the title after Game 1 win

2. Teams are 7-2 after winning Game 1 by 15+ points since 1980

This was not intentional, I swear. Since 1980, there have been nine teams that have won Game 1 of the NBA Finals by 15 or more points and seven of those nine teams went on to win the NBA Championship; the exact same record as the Lakers are historically after winning Game 1 since 1980.

Two of the Laker teams that made the first list are on this list as well. The 2009 Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 100-75, which was actually the only double-digit win for the Lakers in that series (although they were obviously the better team throughout).

The 2000 Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers by 27 points in Game 1 and just like the Orlando series, the Lakers were obviously the better team in that matchup, although the Pacers did take them to six games. They even gave a blowout win back to the Lakers in Game 5.

The last team to win by 15+ in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who completed a gentleman’s sweep over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2014 and 2005 San Antonio Spurs did it and won, as did the 1996 and 1992 Chicago Bulls.

The only two teams to not win the NBA Finals after winning Game 1 by 15+ were the 2016 Golden State Warriors and 1985 Boston Celtics. There is good news, though — the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to LeBron James, who is obviously on the Lakers, and the 1985 Celtics lost that series against the Lakers.

History tends to repeat itself. Just remember that.