2014 NBA Playoffs
NBA Finals – Game #3
#1 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Miami Heat
Best of Seven Series Tied 1-1
AmericanAirlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Miami -4 1/2
Current Line: Miami -4 1/2
Opening Total: 198 1/2
Current Total: 198
Opening Money Line: Heat -190 / Spurs + 165
Current Money Line: Heat -200 / Spurs +170
The Miami Heat lost game one of the NBA Finals at the San Antonio Spurs 110-95 when LeBron James missed most of the fourth quarter with severe leg cramps after a malfunctioning air conditioning system led to 90 degree temperatures inside the AT&T Center . The Heat had a 7 point lead early in the fourth, but the Spurs came to back to win by 15 after James left the game. Miami needed a win in game two to avoid an 0-2 series hole. The Heat would take a 98-96 win on the road Sunday night to even up the series as the series switches to Miami for games three and four. Miami has won 13 straight playoff games after a loss, dating back to the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals where they lost 3 straight games to the Boston Celtics.
San Antonio took a 26-19 lead at the end of the first quarter Sunday night, hitting 10 of their first 15 shots. LeBron James scored only 2 points in the first quarter.The Spurs would expand the lead to 30-19 early in the second, but Miami fought back to tie it at 43 at halftime as James got going with 11 points in the quarter. San Antonio took a 78-77 lead into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was back and forth with neither team leading by more than 5 points. Tony Parker hit a three pointer for the Spurs to give them a 93-92 lead. They would not score again until a meaningless three at the buzzer by Manu Ginobili. Chris Bosh hit the go ahead three pointer for Miami with 1:18 left. After a San Antonio turnover, James was fouled by Kawhi Leonard and James made one of two free throws to give Miami a 96-93 lead with 47 seconds left. Ginobili missed a 19 foot jumper and Miami grabbed the rebound with 28 seconds left. There was four seconds difference between the shot and game clocks, so San Antonio played it out. Bosh passed to a wide open Dwyane Wade down low with 9 seconds left for a lay-up that put Miami up 98-93. Ginobili hit the shot at the buzzer to make it 98-96.
Miami shot 52.9% from the field including 8/19 on three pointers. San Antonio shot 43.9% from the field including 12/26 from 3 point range. The Spurs made only 12 of 20 free throws. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan missed 4 straight free throws in the fourth.
James had 35 points on 14 for 22 shooting, along with 10 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 steals. In the first half he was aggressive and drove to the hoop on almost every play. It got Kawhi Leonard in foul trouble. In the second half, San Antonio adjusted and James stayed hot by hitting jumpers. Bosh added 18 points. Wade and Rashard Lewis each scored 14 points. Wade added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Parker led the Spurs with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Tim Duncan had 18 points and 15 rebounds. Ginobili scored 19 points.
San Antonio is coached by Gregg Popovich, who won his third NBA coach of the year award this season. San Antonio is 54-47 ATS and the total is 54-43-2 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 48-49-2 ATS and the total is 56-43 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 8-2 ATS on one day rest, 10-4 against teams with winning records, and overall, 9-4 in Tuesday games, 40-18-1 against Southeast Division teams, 52-25-1 against Eastern Conference teams, 3-8 after failing to cover, 2-7 in road games, and against teams with winning home records. The under is 25-11 in this series recently including 13-5 in Miami.
Miami is 5-0 ATS against teams with winning road records, 5-1 at home, 5-2 against teams with winning records and overall, 2-5 after a straight up win, and 1-5 against Western Conference teams. The home team and favorite are both 4-1 ATS in this series recently.
If James played like he did in game two, then Miami will be tough to beat, especially at home. Popovich will make defensive adjustments to keep LeBron out of the lane, where is nearly unstoppable regardless of who is guarding him. James can’t do it alone, and needs help from Wade and Bosh, plus the role players need to play better than they did in San Antonio. I think Miami wins a close game at home to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
