NBA FINALS -- Miami heats up to win back-to-back titles
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Jun 2013
The Miami Heat has shown to the whole basketball world that they are the hottest team in the National Basketball Association this season as they hoisted the Larry O' Brien championship trophy right before the very eyes of thousands of adoring fans at the American Airlines Arena.
They preserved the NBA Finals record that no team has lost a Game 7 in their homecourt and they did that against a team with a big fighting heart, the San Antonio Spurs. Miami prevailed 95-88 and it was a fitting climax to one of the most exciting Finals. The series proved to be a seesaw affair and both Spurs and Heat alternately winning each episode until the last two games when the defending champions snatched the crucial winning games in their own territory.
But it was not easy for Miami to retain the crown, as the championship-seasoned San Antonio almost stole the title in Game 6. The Heat resurrected from the danger of being dethroned in their own arena in the dying seconds of the game and was able to extend the game, when all seemed to be lost and some fans headed for an early exit. The miracle 103-100 overtime victory in Game 6 was a sign that Divine Providence was with the Heat.
LeBron James joined Bill Russel and Michael Jordan as the only back-to-back Finals MVP in the same consecutive titles. The "King" scored 37 points and 12 rebounds and played the familiar role as the heart and soul of the Heat. He also had an excellent defense on Tony Parker. In Game 6 he had a triple double - 32 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds - plus a go-ahead basket in overtime.
In Game 7, Dwyane Wade provided the needed boost in offense and defense with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He earned his third career championship ring and overcame a recurring knee injury. Shane Battier contributed 18 points with 6-for-8 three-point shooting, while Mario Chalmers had 14 points for Miami.
Tim Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs. He committed a turnover which resulted to Battier's three-pointer at the corner at 3:21 in the fourth quarter, giving Miami an 88-82 lead. Kawhi Leonard, who tallied 19 points, sank a three-point shot in the final two minutes to inch the Spurs closer at 90-88. But James connected with a 19-footer to seal the Miami victory with 27 seconds left of the game.
Confetti rained on the court all throughout the awarding and celebration. It secured the South Florida team and the Big Three - James, Wade, and Chris Bosh - a place in the annals of the NBA. King James still reigns this time with four MVP's, two Olympic golds, and back-to-back titles. And now on to a three-peat.
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