Heat torched by Spurs in the 4th, lose Game 1
The defending NBA champions Miami Heat fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 110-95, in Game 1 of the 2013-14 NBA Finals. It was a game that had more than a few interesting highlights. The first of which was that the air-conditioning system of the Alamo Dome in San Antonio was not working, which led to some rather difficult playing conditions. Miami’s LeBron James felt its effects as the star forward was forced out of the game early in the fourth quarter due to severe leg cramps.
“After I came out of the game, they kind of took off,” James said. “And it was frustrating sitting out and not be able to help our team.”
In James’ absence, the Spurs went on a shooting spree which eventually allowed to them to take the lead from Miami thanks to huge 16-3 run. Danny Green, left open on the outside, found his shot and scored 11 of his 13 points in the final period as he anchored his team’s run.
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To his credit, James did finish the night with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He also joins Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the only players in NBA history to record 4,000 points and 1,000 assists in the NBA playoffs.
Dwyane Wade added 19 points, while Chris Bosh chipped in 18 points and 9 boards for the Heat. Ray Allen once again turned back the clock with a very respectable 16-point and 5-steal performance off the bench. Allen made a brow-raising play in the third quarter as he stole the ball and went coast-to-coast to finish at the rim with a slam. Not bad at all for a 38-year-old veteran…
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Speaking of ageless, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (37 years old) put in a solid game as he ended it with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Frenchman Tony Parker had 19 points and 8 assists, while ever-reliable Manu Ginobili chimed in with 16 points and 11 assists of his own, off the Spurs’ bench.