NBA Finals -- Spurs crush Heat for 2-1 lead
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Jun 2013
The San Antonio Spurs set a record of 16 three-point shots made in an NBA Finals game as they massacred the Miami Heat, 113-77 in Game Three at the AT&T Center. The 36-point loss was the worst in Miami playoff history.
Danny Green continued his scoring streak and top scored for the Spurs with 27 points. Gary Neal added 24 points off the bench and the starters had plenty of time to rest. Kawhi Leonard contributed points 14 points and Tim Duncan 12 points.
LeBron James played one of his worst playoff games in his career, hitting only seven baskets out of 21 attempts, for a 15-point anemic performance. It was reminiscent of the 3-for-11, eight point production against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the 2011 Finals.
It was the third consecutive game that the league MVP failed to score at least 20 points. The last time he did it was during the 2011 Finals. He admitted though the failure own his part to deliver and took the blame for not playing well.
The Spurs employed the same strategy on James in the 2007 Finals when San Antonio battled with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They kept him out of the paint and would not let him shot near the basket, forcing him to take long shots.
In Game 3, James scored 5 of 7 inside the paint but went 2 of 14 from outside. But the Spurs have anticipated that LeBron and teammates would come up something different in Game 4. After all, during the playoffs last season they were trailing 2-1 against the Indiana Pacers, behind the Boston Celtics, 3-2, and lost to Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Finals. But they went on the win all the series and the title.
Games 4 and 5 will also be played at the Spurs' homecourt. If Miami could not make drastic changes in their brand of play, then the series would end in San Antonio.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 21 Apr 20252025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
Mon, 21 Apr 2025Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025