2014 NBA Playoffs
NBA Finals – Game #4
#1 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Miami Heat
Spurs Lead Best of Seven Series 2-1
AmericanAirlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Thursday, June 12, 2014, 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Miami -5 1/2
Current Line: Miami -5 1/2
Opening Total: 200
Current Total: 197 1/2
Opening Money Line: Heat -240 / Spurs +200
Current Money Line: Heat -250 / Spurs +210
The San Antonio Spurs took game one of the NBA Finals 110-95 against the Miami Heat after LeBron James left with leg cramps. Miami rebounded in game two with a 98-96 victory, stealing home court. In game three Tuesday night in Miami San Antonio took it right back with a dominating 111-92 win. Miami has won 13 straight playoff games after a loss dating back to the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals when Miami lost three straight to the Boston Celtics. Miami will have to continue that streak Thursday night or they will be down 3-1 with game five Sunday night in San Antonio.
San Antonio was white hot shooting from the field in the first half Tuesday night. The Spurs made 13 of 15 field goals in the first quarter and took a 41-25 lead. San Antonio then his their first six shots of the second quarter and led 55-30. Miami would trim the lead to 14 but San Antonio would lead 71-50 at halftime. The Spurs set an NBA Finals record by shooting 76% from the field in the first half. Miami pulled with seven points in the third but could get no closer. San Antonio would score only 15 points in the quarter after scoring 71 in the first half. Still, the Spurs led 86-75 going in the fourth. Miami never challenged in the final quarter and San Antonio took control of the series with the 19 point win.
San Antonio cooled off in the second half but still shot 59.4% from the field including 9 for 20 from 3 point range. Miami shot over 50% as well, going for 51.6% from the field including 10 for 21 from 3 point range. The Heat had 20 turnovers to 12 for the Spurs.
After struggling with foul trouble and only scoring 18 total points in the first two games, Spurs’ forward Kawhi Leonard had a magnificent game three on both ends of the court. He ended up with 29 points on 10/13 shooting, plus he added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. His defense kept Lebron James in check for the last 3 quarters when James only scored 8 points. Tony Parker scored 15 points and added 4 assists and 2 steals. Danny Green also scored 15 points along with 5 steals, 3 assists and a block. Tim Duncan scored 14 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. Manu Ginobili scored 11 points off the bench for the Spurs.
James scored 14 points in the first quarter but finished with 22 on 9/14 shooting. He also added 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Dwyane Wade also scored 22 on 8 for 12 shooting, and added 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Rashard Lewis scored 14 points. Ray Allen added 11 off the bench, Chris Bosh scored 9 points and had 3 rebounds. He made all four of his field goal attempts.
San Antonio is coached by Gregg Popovich, who won his third NBA coach of the year award this season. San Antonio is 55-47 ATS and the total is 55-43-2 this season.
San Antonio is outscoring teams 107-99 in the playoffs. The Spurs are shooting 48.2% from the field and 39.2% from 3 point range. San Antonio makes 77.3% from the free throw line. Opponents are shooting 43.9% from the field and 33.6% from 3 point range. San Antonio is averaging 43.2 rebounds per game and opponents average 42.4 per game. The Spurs average 21.3 assists, 12.2 turnovers, 8.2 steals and 3.5 blocks per game. Opponents average 18.3 assists, 13.7 turnovers, 6.2 steals and 4.2 blocks per game.
Point guard Tony Parker averages 17.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. Forward Tim Duncan averages 16.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. Forward Kawhi Leonard averages 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Guard Manu Ginobili averages 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steal per game. Marco Belinelli, Patty Mills, Boris Diaw, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Jeff Ayres, and Matt Bonner will also get significant minutes.
Miami is coached by Eric Spoelstra. The Heat are 48-50-2 ATS and the total is 57-43 this season including playoffs.
Miami is outscoring teams 99-92 this post-season. The Heat are shooting 49.7% from the field and 39.5% from 3 point range. Miami makes 79.2% of their free throws. Opponents are shooting 46.2% from the field and 38.1% from 3 point range. The Heat average 34.6 rebounds per game and opponents average 38.1 per game. Miami averages 19.3 assists, 10.9 turnovers, 7.1 steals and 4.4 blocks per game. Opponents average 18.3 assists, 13.7 turnovers, 5.1 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.
Miami forward LeBron James is averaging 27.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in the playoffs. James is listed as probable with the cramps. Wade averages 18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Center Chris Bosh averages 15.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, a steal and 1.3 blocks per game. Point guard Mario Chalmers averages 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1 steal per game. Guard Ray Allen averages 9.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Michael Beasley, Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen, Norris Cole, Rashard Lewis, and Shane Battier will also get significant minutes.
San Antonio is 4-0 ATS in Thursday games, 5-1 on one day rest, 4-1 against teams with winning records and overall, 8-3 after scoring 100 points or more in the previous game, 18-7 after a cover, 7- 3 after a straight up win, 14-6 after a win by 10 or more points, 41-18-1 against Southeast Division teams, 17-8 in NBA Finals games, 53-25-1 against Eastern Conference games, 3-7 in road games and against teams with winning home records. The over is 7-3 in this series recently.
Miami is 5-0 ATS after a straight up loss, 4-0 after allowing 100 points or more, 7-1 after a double digit home loss, 6-1 after failing to cover, 5-1 against teams with winning road records, 4-1 after the opponent scores 100 points or more, 24-9 after a straight up loss by 10 points or more, 5-2 at home, 3-7 in Thursday games, 1-4 against NBA Southwest teams, and 1-6 against Western Conference teams. The under is 13-6 in Miami in this series recently.
In game three there was no defensive effort on Miami’s part in the first half. They tried to come back in the second half but they dug themselves too big a hole. LeBron James needs to be more aggressive going to the rack like he did in game two when he scored 35 points. Bosh has to get more than 4 touches. San Antonio adjusted to Miami’s small ball line-up by starting Boris Diaw in place of Tiago Splitter. Now it is Spoelstra’s turn to adjust. Miami has been great after playoff losses for the last three years, but this series could be over if they don’t play a lot better than in game three.
