Friday, June 14, 2013

The Big 3 Returns to Force the Series Back to Miami


Through the first three games of the 2013 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat Big 3 was criticized and doubted on their consistency and greatness. In last night’s 109-93 Game Four win over the San Antonio Spurs, Lebron James; Dwayne Wade; and Chris Bosh “silenced their haters,” in one of the best offensive outbursts from three players in Finals history to force the series back to American Airlines Arena for a game six.

Early on, it appeared this game would be the same story, but different day of Tuesday’s lopsided Game 3 Spurs 113-77 win. Down 15-5 early, the Heat were missing open shots and the Spurs were capitalizing on the Miami mistakes.

But for only the second time this series, the Heat broke through. Lebron James and Dwayne Wade would both score twelve by the end of the period, leading Miami to a first quarter lead of 29-26. Bosh would add four of his own points, but still missing open shots.

Miami would open the second quarter with a 12-3 run en route to a 41-31 lead. In response, San Antonio would outscore the Heat in the final minutes 18-8 to tie the game at halftime. Despite the periods of dominance from one side, both teams would continue to come back made this game impossible to assume the outcome. The root of San Antonio’s refusal to back down was the pesky point guard, Tony Parker, who would add fifteen first half points.

The third quarter went back and forth until a Ray Allen layup, Mario Chalmers drained a three pointer for the Heat, and Lebron added a fastbreak lead to gain a 67-61 edge.

But once again, despite the Heat’s explosive offense, the Spurs would not let the game get out of hand, as Gary Neal continued his historic Finals performance with two three pointers in 45 seconds to make it a three point game. Lebron would add another pair before the period’s end to give the Heat an 81-76 lead after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Heat would open the game up. Led by Wade and Bosh, Miami put up 28 points in the final quarter, holding a double digit lead for the last 6:24 of the game. The night ended with Lebron (finally) hitting a three pointer.

Miami’s Big 3 finally returned to their usual production, combining for 85 points. James would add the game high of 33 points, with Wade right behind him at 32 for his twelfth straight game with double digit points.

Last night’s performance was Wade’s highest point total since February 23. Bosh would also add 20 of his own points for his third straight double-double.

Duncan would lead the Spurs with 20 points and five rebounds. Parker would add 15 despite being held silent in the second half. This sudden stop to Parker’s performance may be attributed to his ailing hamstring. San Antonio would get most of their production from a collection of underrated role players.

Boris Diaw and Gary Neal would combine for 22 points off the bench. Starters, Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, would also reach double figures. Neal and Green would combine for six shots for trey. Manu Ginobili was held to five points after not being in the starting lineup.

Going into Game 5, even though Miami has become notorious through the playoffs for failing to continue their intensity after big wins, the Spurs have some issues of their own. Tony Parker’s hamstring may have not let him play to the ability he wanted to for a whole game yesterday, by being muted in the second half. Despite all of the recent talk over Miami’s Big 3 failing on the big stage, Duncan and Ginobli have not played to their full potentials so far either. Through the first four games of the Finals, Duncan and Ginobli have combined for just 91 points and 50 rebounds.

The biggest question for the Spurs moving forward is what will happen if Green and Neal suddenly cannot hit three pointers? Where will they get those necessary points from?

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