2013 NBA Finals Game #7
#2 San Antonio Spurs at #1 Miami Heat
Best of Seven Series Tied 3-3
Thursday, June 20, 2013, 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
American Airlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Opening Line: Miami -6
Current Line: Miami -6
Opening Total: 189 1/2
Current Total: 188
Opening Money Line: Heat -275 / Spurs +235
Current Money Line: Heat -260 / Spurs +220
In Tuesday’s night’s game six of the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs were 28 seconds away from winning their 5th NBA title in the last 14 seasons. However, thanks to some missed free throws by the Spurs, some questionable coaching moves by San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, some timely offensive rebounding by the Miami Heat, and two incredible shots by Lebron James and Ray Allen, we have a Game Seven in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. This is only the sixth NBA Finals to go the distance since 1978, the last time a road team won a game 7 in the Finals.
The Spurs and Heat have alternated wins and losses since San Antonio won a close game one. The next four games in the series were decided by 10 points or more. Game six looked to be another blowout as San Antonio led by 10 75-65 at the end of the third. San Antonio started the fourth with Tin Duncan and Tony Parker both on the bench. Miami started the fourth with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the bench. They used the same line-up that went on a huge 33-5 run in a game 2 Miami blowout win. Miami surrounded LeBron James with shooters Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, Mike Miller, and big man Chris Andersen.
Miami would erase the 10 point deficit within six minutes, as James took over the game. Early in the fourth LeBron’s trademark headband fell off and he would play the rest of the game without it. Miami would take an 87-84 lead with 3:47 left when Heat coach Eric Spoelstra put Wade in the game. Wade struggled the whole game as eh has been battling a bruised right knee during the playoffs. It didn’t help that he bang his left knee against Manu Ginobli’s in the first half. In the fourth quarter, James guarded Tony Parker and held him scoreless until 1:27 left when Parker hit a 3 to tie it up at 89 despite excellent defense from LeBron. After a Parker steal, he made a 12 foot shot to give the Spurs the lead.
LeBron would then turn the ball over on the next two Heat possessions. Ginobli would make 3 of 4 free throws to put the Spurs up 94-89 with 28 seconds left. On the next Heat possession, James missed a 3 pointer but Mike Miller grabbed the rebound and tipped it back to LeBron who made a three to pull the heat within 94-92. Spurs’ forward Kawhi Leonard made one of two free throws to put San Antonio up 3. Popovich then took Tim Duncan out of the game replaced by Boris Diaw. LeBron missed another 3 but Chris Bosh grabbed the rebound and passed to Ray Allen who stepped back behind the 3 point line and hit the game tying three with just under 6 seconds left. Officials would review the play to determine if it was a three. The Spurs had no timeouts so they couldn’t advance the ball. Popovich was irate at the review because it allowed Miami to set their defense. Parker missed a 12 footer at the buzzer and the game went to overtime tied 95-95.
The Spurs would take a 100-97 lead in overtime with 2:42 left. However, they would not score again. Baskets by Allen and James put the Heat up 101-100. Lebron would miss an 8 footer on the next Heat possession, then stole the ball from Ginobli, but lost the ball for another turnover. Danny Green was called for charging against LeBron, and Wade missed a 21 footer. Ginobli drove to the hoop but lost the ball to Allen. Many Spurs’ fans thought Allen hacked him butt here was no call. Ginobli also traveled on the play but the refs didn’t call him either. Allen made two free throws to put the Heat up 103-100 with a second left. Green tried a corner 3 that Bosh blocked. The block was clean but there was a lot of contact down below, that probably would have been called for a foul earlier in the game. The Heat held on for the 3 point win to force game 7.
The Spurs shot 43.5% from the field including 5/18 from 3 point range. San Antonio made 21 of 28 free throws but some late misses allowed Miami to have a chance at the comeback. Miami shot 46.9% from the field including 11/19 from 3 point range. The Heat made 11 of 16 free throws. The Spurs had 45 rebounds and Miami had 42. The Heat had 15 turnovers and the Spurs had 13.
Despite the turnovers and bad shots, James still had a triple double with 32 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and a block. He scored 18 of his 32 points in the fourth and overtime. Mario Chalmers scored 20 points. Wade scored 14 points on 6/15 shooting, along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Bosh had 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Allen scored 9 points.
Tim Duncan scored 30 points, with 17 rebounds. He scored 25 in the first half. Leonard scored 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. Parker scored 19 points and added 8 assists. Ginobli scored 9 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. He did have 8 costly turnovers though. Miami held Danny Green to 3 points after he had lit up the Heat for the rest of the series.
San Antonio is 5-0 ATS after a loss, 4-0 after the opponent scores 100 points, and after allowing 100 points, 5-1 in road games and against teams with winning home records, 9-3 against teams with winning records, and overall, 8-3 in NBA Finals games, 5-2 on one day rest, 6-13 after the opponent allows 100 points or more, and 5-11 after scoring 100 points or more. The last four games in this series have gone over the total.
Miami is 5-1 ATS after failing to cover, 19-7 in Thursday games, 11-5 after allowing 100 points, 0-8 after a straight up win, 0-5 after the opponent allows 100 points or more, and after scoring 100 points or more.
I knwo these teams have alternated wins and losses and logic says the Spurs win because it is an odd numbered game. However, I don’t know how the Spurs recover from such a devastating loss when they were 28 seconds away from winning the title. If any team can do it, ti is the veteran Spurs coached by the best coach in the league. However, i think LeBron has a huge game and Miamin repeats as NBA champions.
