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What a start to the 2014 NBA Finals.
Spurs 110-95 Heat
Some major talking points, Spurs finish on a 31-9 run. Lebron James couldnt handle the heat and missed most of the last quarter and was out for good with 7 mins to go in the 4th quarter.
Miami’s offense disintegrated afrter LeBron went down which is concerning considering they still had Wade, Bosh and Allen on the floor.
Some points of concern for the Spurs is that Parker played well below par, Leonard missed time to foul trouble and Green started 0-5, and the Heat still couldn’t get it done.
Some adjustments the Spurs need to make are to defend Bosh with Diaw when he is on the perimeter so Duncan can defend the interior.
Heading into Game 2 Heat need to defend the Spurs for the full 48 minutes, down the stretch Spurs got exactly what they wanted in their halfcourt offence.
After their gruelling seven-game series in the 2013 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat square off again in another titanic show down. Join us for blog and live scores from 11:00am AEST.
Last year’s series went to the seventh and deciding game with LeBron James and company standing tall and Tim Duncan and the Spurs rueing what could have been.
The Spurs have been on a mission since that day and have got through to the NBA Finals once again.
Miami have left the Eastern Conference in their wake with commanding series wins against the Charlotte Bobcats (4-0), Brooklyn Nets (4-1), and the Indiana Pacers (4-2). They are peaking at the right time and the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are primed to bring a threepeat to South Beach.
The Spurs have had a different run to the Finals, being pushed to the end by the Dallas Mavericks (4-3), before brushing aside the Portland Trailblazers (4-1), and finally having the strangest Western Conference Finals in a long time against the Oklahoma City Thunder – each team winning in a blowout at home before Game 6, where the Spurs won in overtime after a vintage effort from Tim Duncan (4-2).
Coming into this game, the Spurs will be buoyed by the home-court advantage with four of the seven games will be played in San Antonio. They will be concerned by the ankle injury star guard Tony Parker is carrying, which hampered his effectiveness against the Thunder before forcing him to miss the entire second half and overtime of Game 6.
The Heat are coming in on the back of a strong run in the playoffs and a healthy, rested Dwayne Wade, plus have the best player in the world in LeBron James.
Last year was a see-sawing affair with no teams winning consecutive games until the Heat won Game 7, so defending home court advantage will be crucial for the Spurs, with the pivotal Games 5 and 7 being on their home floor.
Will Parker be fit to play? Can the Heat get the drop on the Spurs and steal home court from them in Game 1?
If Parker plays at anywhere near 100 per cent, the Spurs will be hard to beat at home.
Prediction: Spurs by 8.
Majikero
Guest
he is the one
Mike saunders
Guest
Can anybody address the effect of the compression suit that LBJ wears on cramps. Looks like this suit retains body heat and adds to problems. Hmmmm?
michael
Guest
If lebron is the best player in the world why is he not able to handle the heat. tim manu and tony handled it with no problem. is thier conditioning better ? wade bosh and allenhad no problem with the heat.
Jake
Guest
Who is then?
Joe
Guest
He'll be fine by Sunday its one game.Never overreact to Game 1 of a series. I had money on S.A. tonight & when Bosh hit the 4pt play with about 8 mins left in the game I was concerned. Miami were locked in defensively & looked the better team to me. Shortly after LeBron starts cramping the Heat lose their composure & boom, the Spurs seemed to feed off that in final 6 mins Game 2 Sunday night should he a beauty. Wait to see who the officials are before making any predictions. I wont be surprised to see Joey Crawford as hrad referee in Game 2 which gives Miami an advantage LeBron will get some flack for sitting out late but you could clearly see the guy couldn't walk properly Sunday evenings contest will be very interesting to watch.
l boogie
Guest
LeBron james is not the best player in the world
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Lebron is going to take so much flak over this for the next few days.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
It'll be here!
Silver Sovereign
Guest
"The Greatest of all time" Lebron James takes himself out of the game due to bad cramps! Lack of aircon gives game to Spurs!!
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
This a big concern for the Heat. I don't know how many times the Spurs will turn the ball 20 plus times and still win. It'll be be interesting to see how they bounce back. Spurs took them out of their offence very well in the 4th. They were without LeBron James but they still have Wade and Bosh and they got no good looks at all. They last good look they had was the drive LeBron made before limping off.
Boomeranda
Guest
Awesome updates. I'm coming here for live updates every game.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Well done Aaron. Great updates on that tense final quarter. We have a series, methinks. As Johnno points out, crucial win for Spurs, and LeBron a big worry.
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
What a start to the 2014 NBA Finals. Some major talking points, Spurs finish on a 31-9 run. Lebron James couldnt handle the heat and missed most of the last quarter and was out for good with 7 mins to go in the 4th quarter. Miami's offense disintergrated afrter Lebron went down which is concerning considering they still had Wade, Bosh and Allen on the floor. Some points of concern is that Parker played well below par, Leonard missed time to foul trouble and Green started 0-5 and Heat still couldnt get it done. Some adjustments the Spurs need to make is to defend Bosh with Diaw when he is on the perimeter so Duncan can defend the interior. Heading into Game 2 Heat need to defend the Spurs for the full 48 minutes, down the stretch Spurs got exactly what they wanted in their halfcourt offence.
Johnno
Guest
Spurs need to win game 1 to stay in this series just have a hunch, they lose game 1, they out already. Momentum.
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
Spurs running the clock down, leading 110-95 game over
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
LeBron is done, marching back to the locker room, 1:14 to go
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
Parker nails a corner 3, Miami timeout Spurs lead hits double figures. 105-95
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
Leonard hits a 3 Spurs 102-95. Miami turn the ball over 1;27 to go. No sign of LeBron
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
1:49 to go. Wade picks up his 4th foul. Spurs ball leading 99-95
Aaron Doherty
Roar Pro
Knocks down the 3 and cuts Spurs lead to 4 99-95