The
NBA Finals will resume Sunday night in a presumably
much more comfortable AT&T Center when the San
Antonio Spurs welcome the Miami Heat.
The Spurs grabbed a 1-0 series lead Thursday night in
the sweltering heat of a late spring San Antonio night.
Of course, it didn't help that the AT&T Center's air
conditioner malfunctioned and didn't work through the
course of the game.
As temperatures soared into the mid-90s, the Spurs
emerged with a 110-95 victory, but the busted AC unit
played a major role.
LeBron James was forced to leave the game midway
through the fourth quarter due to cramping. James has
faced cramping issues in the past and the four-time
MVP was unable to move Thursday following a layup to
get the game within two.
"My body just shut down, basically my body said, okay,
enough jumping for you for the night. You've had
enough," James said after practice on Friday. "Nothing I
could do about it."
That didn't stop social media from exploding,
questioning James' toughness.
"I really don't care what people say about me," noted
James.
The two-time Finals MVP, the Heat, the Spurs and
frankly anyone in attendance Sunday night should feel
relieved. The AT&T Center staff fixed the problem and it
should be very comfortable for Game 2.
"It will be fine. We've been assured of that," said Heat
head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The extreme conditions played a role in Game 1, but
were the same for both squads.
When James had to be
carried back to the bench, the Spurs finished the game
on a 31-9 run with six minutes to go.
Danny Green, who set an NBA Finals record with 27
made 3-pointers last year, caught fire late in Game 1.
He drained three long balls during the decisive run and
finished with 13 points.
Tim Duncan contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds,
Tony Parker poured in 19 points and handed out eight
assists, and Manu Ginobili totaled 16 points and 11
assists for the Spurs, who shot a scorching 14-of-16
from the floor in the fourth, including a perfect 6-of-6
mark from long distance.
Tiago Splitter added 14 points and Boris Diaw pulled
down 10 rebounds.
The Spurs shot 59 percent for the game and 52 percent
from long range.
"We're not as good as we used to be defensively. So if
that's going to diminish, you need to do something at
the other end of the floor to make up for it," explained
coach Gregg Popovich. "We changed our pace, and the
way we approach things at the other end of the floor to
make up for what we're going to lose defensively. That's
the bottom line."
James paced the Heat with 25 points and six assists,
while Wade and Bosh supplied 19 and 18 points,
respectively, in the setback.
"We have to finish the game better, no matter who is on
the floor," Wade said, referring to the absence of James.
Ray Allen provided a spark off the bench with 16 points,
while another veteran, Rashard Lewis, scored 10.
The Heat have won 12 straight following a loss in the
postseason and there's no reason to panic. Miami lost
the first game in each of the last two Finals and went
on to win the series.
The series shifts to South Beach for Game 3 Tuesday
night.
NBA Finals will resume Sunday night in a presumably
much more comfortable AT&T Center when the San
Antonio Spurs welcome the Miami Heat.
The Spurs grabbed a 1-0 series lead Thursday night in
the sweltering heat of a late spring San Antonio night.
Of course, it didn't help that the AT&T Center's air
conditioner malfunctioned and didn't work through the
course of the game.
As temperatures soared into the mid-90s, the Spurs
emerged with a 110-95 victory, but the busted AC unit
played a major role.
LeBron James was forced to leave the game midway
through the fourth quarter due to cramping. James has
faced cramping issues in the past and the four-time
MVP was unable to move Thursday following a layup to
get the game within two.
"My body just shut down, basically my body said, okay,
enough jumping for you for the night. You've had
enough," James said after practice on Friday. "Nothing I
could do about it."
That didn't stop social media from exploding,
questioning James' toughness.
"I really don't care what people say about me," noted
James.
The two-time Finals MVP, the Heat, the Spurs and
frankly anyone in attendance Sunday night should feel
relieved. The AT&T Center staff fixed the problem and it
should be very comfortable for Game 2.
"It will be fine. We've been assured of that," said Heat
head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The extreme conditions played a role in Game 1, but
were the same for both squads.
When James had to be
carried back to the bench, the Spurs finished the game
on a 31-9 run with six minutes to go.
Danny Green, who set an NBA Finals record with 27
made 3-pointers last year, caught fire late in Game 1.
He drained three long balls during the decisive run and
finished with 13 points.
Tim Duncan contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds,
Tony Parker poured in 19 points and handed out eight
assists, and Manu Ginobili totaled 16 points and 11
assists for the Spurs, who shot a scorching 14-of-16
from the floor in the fourth, including a perfect 6-of-6
mark from long distance.
Tiago Splitter added 14 points and Boris Diaw pulled
down 10 rebounds.
The Spurs shot 59 percent for the game and 52 percent
from long range.
"We're not as good as we used to be defensively. So if
that's going to diminish, you need to do something at
the other end of the floor to make up for it," explained
coach Gregg Popovich. "We changed our pace, and the
way we approach things at the other end of the floor to
make up for what we're going to lose defensively. That's
the bottom line."
James paced the Heat with 25 points and six assists,
while Wade and Bosh supplied 19 and 18 points,
respectively, in the setback.
"We have to finish the game better, no matter who is on
the floor," Wade said, referring to the absence of James.
Ray Allen provided a spark off the bench with 16 points,
while another veteran, Rashard Lewis, scored 10.
The Heat have won 12 straight following a loss in the
postseason and there's no reason to panic. Miami lost
the first game in each of the last two Finals and went
on to win the series.
The series shifts to South Beach for Game 3 Tuesday
night.
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