Final Score: San Antonio Spurs 111-92 Miami Heat – Spurs lead series 2-1
In order to get back home court advantage the Spurs had to make history. A clinical first half gave them a healthy advantage but Miami didn’t roll over and take it closing the gap to 7 points in the 3rd quarter.
You can single out every Spurs players that played significant minutes with no one really deserving a lion’s share of the credit. Great ball movement, fantastic activity on defence (led by Kahwi and Green) and experience to withstand a Miami charge.
Miami’s role players have some soul searching to do. Mario Chalmers doesn’t look sharp, Bosh wasn’t really involved and the Birdman wasn’t a factor.
Join me for Game Four on Friday morning as the Spurs look to take a 3-1 lead and a potential close-out game at home.
The Miami Heat have thrown the first real punch of the NBA Finals by taking home court advantage. Can the San Antonio Spurs respond in South Beach? Join us at 11am (AEST) for Game 3 of this thrilling NBA Finals series.
LeBron James bounced back from the ‘cramp-gate’ that sent the internet crazy after Game 1 with a clinical display of efficient scoring and red-hot outside shooting to steer Miami to a 98-96 Game 2 victory.
After a shaky start to the game with 1-4 from the field in the first quarter, he demonstrated why he was one of the leaders in field goal percentage during the regular season by regularly getting to the rim.
James attempted all seven of his field goals in the second quarter within two feet of the basket, making five of them.
In his explosive third quarter he didn’t shoot from inside 18 feet but was just as lethal, scoring 14 points on 6-7 shooting including a 50-second heat-check period where he scored 8 straight points.
While James was taking charge, it was the underrated play of Chris Bosh, with 18 points including a late three-pointer and a game-sealing assist to Wade, and the shooting of Rashard Lewis which kept Miami in touch at crucial moments.
The Spurs had their moments as well. Their Big Three provided most of the scoring in combining for 58 points, and they cut their turnovers right down from the lofty numbers in Game 1.
Tim Duncan notched his 157th playoff double-double, equalling Magic Johnson’s record, but looked visibly frustrated when calls didn’t go his way and picked up a rare technical foul. Credit should go to Chris Andersen for his physical defence on Duncan, not allowing him to get settled on the block or get close to the basket.
Although the Spurs lost, there were plenty of positives to take away. Both Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard were in foul trouble for most of the game – Ginobili thanks to a cheap flop by Wade – so their impact was affected to a certain degree.
Tony Parker was not 100 per cent for the final few minutes after receiving an elbow to the chest courtesy of Mario Chalmers, who was unlucky to pick up a flagrant foul for it. Patty Mills took over for Parker and despite a flawless performance off the bench up until that point, his play in the fourth quarter was not what the Spurs needed at that stage.
The Spurs face an uphill challenge to get home court advantage back, but they have an experienced team led by one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. There’s also the added motivation of returning to the building where their title dreams were dashed last season.
With LeBron James seemingly back to normal, the Heat need to continue to execute and play the kind of basketball that has them three games away from a historic three-peat.
Spurs by 2
AL
Guest
It's a difference between great players and a great team. Spurs beat themselves in game 6 last year, just like they beat themselves in game 2 this year. Miami has great players while the Spurs have a great team.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Lots of congratulations on Twitter for the Spurs and plenty of shaming of the Heat fans for leaving the building (again). Thanks for following the game with me and I will be back on Friday for Game Four. See you then.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
I think they can. Two blowouts and a tough 2 point loss. They really have looked the better team for longer stretches of the game.
Existentialist
Guest
Nice commentary Mark! Lets see if the Spurs can take it all the way. Being a huge David Robinson fan there is an element of support even now
Aidan
Roar Pro
Super Mario Chalmers- Heat can't beat Spurs while he is on the court. Interesting stats on ESPN about the impact on scoring when Bosh is off the court- would be interested to see if scoring improves when Chalmers is off.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Boris Diaw - "Some guys got green lights, not me but Danny Green and Patty Mills. The rest of us just have to move the ball".
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Reporter - "What did you tell Kahwi Leonard at the end of the game?" Pop - "That's family business" Pop on Leonard - "He;s got to be real active on both ends and he figured it out"
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Wow. That was some pretty much unstoppable offensive basketball by San Antonio.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Eric Spolstra - "We played harder" Commenting on what they did different in the 3rd quarter.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Thanks Patrick, it was good fun if not a little hectic. Looking forward to G4.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Stay posted for the player/coach reactions in the press conference.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Great call Mark! Really brought the action to life I thought.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
FINAL - 111-92 - In order to get back home court advantage the Spurs had to make history. A clinical first half gave them a healthy advantage but Miami didn't roll over and take it closing the gap to 7 points in the 3rd quarter. You can single out every Spurs players that played significant minutes with no one really deserving a lion's share of the credit. Great ball movement, fantastic activity on defence (led by Kahwi and Green) and experience to withstand a Miami charge. Miami's role players have some soul searching to do. Mario Chalmers doesn't look sharp, Bosh wasn't really involved and the Birdman wasn't a factor. Join me for Game Four on Friday morning as the Spurs look to take a 3-1 lead and a potential close-out game at home.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Miami's ace in the hole (Greg Oden) is in. It's winning time.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Aron Baynes is in!!!! Get those junk time points
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
With 1:36 left the energy has been sucked out of the buliding. The Spurs are dribbling out the clock on every possession, very smart move. Wade fouls and we get a T/O to delay the inevitable.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
3:16 4Q 105-90 - Wade gets fouled and only gets one FT. Game break as Lewis is bleeding. Miami fans now leaving the arena, when will they learn? Is the traffic that bad in Miami or do they have dinner reservations?
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
LeBron picks up his 5th foul and the Spurs have it in the bag. Kahwi nails one FT and the Spurs up 105-89 with 3:20 left.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
4:16 4Q 104-89 - Kahwi strolls in and floats one up but Lewis answers with a triple. Miami don't look as active anymore, this game is over.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
5:14 4Q 102-84 - Mills with the fantastic hustle. Diving for a loose ball he knocks it Manu and he strolls in to score an uncontested layup.