Spurs? turn to sputter in NBA Finals
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Jun 2014
WAS it a case of Tim Duncan reprising the LeBron James burnout at the height of a critical NBA Finals game wind-up?
Game Two in the current NBA crown series was, as pundits would love to put it, a lot closer than the final 98-96 score indicated.
The match, played under old conditions with the defective air-con system at the AT&T Center in San Antonio back like new, could?ve been decided by a single point, or could?ve gone into extension.
**
But something in the tested San Antonio team communication system malfunctioned, with the suddenly erratic Duncan falling to indecision and flubbing a basic interior relay, thus throwing a match that could?ve given them a 2-0 lead in the title race.
Of course, before this there was the case of Duncan and the old reliable Tony Parker miserably missing four consecutive free throws between them, with the Spurs up by two and needing only maybe a single point for a fair closing cushion.
The Spurs, in short, sputtered in the thick of pressure, an area where they?ve patented an enviable survival pattern.
It was a case of the San Antonio fool-proof machine blinking when it was least expected.
**
Meanwnhile, James, singlehandedly blamed for Miami?s fall in Game One, was back as his magnificent self, although there was not much of his dam-burst heroics this time out.
James yesterday opted to be rested several times to prevent a repeat of the hideous Game One burn-out, where he was sidelined in the last four minutes of Game One due to cramps.
He also took it upon himself to play a controlled thinking game.
Later, James told a female interviewer that his teammates did provide him enough support and moving room to play his usual game.
**
The tied series thus resumes as a normal coach-vs-coach encounter after it had initially been predicted to start as a Gregg Popovich-James Finals.
Miami?s Erik Spoelstra himself displayed commendable maturity, like James himself, as he ably countered and jammed San Antonio?s tested selfless move-around offensive.
Out there in San Antonio, there were post-game taunts that this time out, with the air-conditoning system working, the Spurs fell prey to the Real Heat.
**
There?s a whole world of signifance in yesterday?s result.
?Based on play-off records this year, it looks like the Heat might make it three NBA crowns in a row,? notes sharp-eyed Joseph Dumuk, former chief national sports statistician. ?The Heats have not lost in seven home games while the Spurs are 10-2.?
?In away games, SA has five losses in eight; while MIA has won six in ten,? he adds. ?However, I still think the Spurs could have a ?Swan Song? for Duncan, Parker and Ginobili?atoning for last year?s Game Six nightmare.?
?The ?Heart? might still swing it for the Spurs.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025