NBA Finals - Spurs dethrone Heat to win 5th NBA title
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Jun 2014
MIAMI -- The Miami Heat are champions no more, dethroned by the San Antonio Spurs who won this year's NBA Finals following after a 104-87 Game 5 blowout Sunday night at the AT&T Center.
The Spurs avenged last year's heartbreaking Finals defeat at the hands of the mighty Heat by capturing the 7-game series, 4-1.
Named NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs assault with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills fired up the bench with 19 and 17, respectively, while Tony Parker had 16 points. Tim Duncan registered 14 and 8 boards.
With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Heat played with the intent of extending the series to a Game 6. And with LeBron James catching fire early, Miami quickly jumped to a 22-6 start.
But from that point on, it went downhill for the two-time defending champs.
San Antonio closed the gap at 29-22 after one quarter, and thanks to a 25-11 spurt in the second period, the Spurs surged ahead 47-40 at halftime. It then turned into a laugher as the San Antonio, which led by as many as 22, poured 30 more in third quarter to take a 58-77 bubble entering the final 12 minutes.
James had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, but he got virtually no support from his celebrated teammates.
Chris Bosh finished with only 13 points on 6-for-14 shooting. Dwyane Wade had a tepid 11 points and missed 8 of 12 field goals while turning the ball over three times. And the Heat bench was out-gunned by San Antonio's, 47-24.
After a slow start, the Spurs ended up making 37 of 78 field goals (47.4 percent), including a 12 for 26 fare (46.2 percent) form 3-point range. They also converted 18 of their 23 free throws (78.3 percent).
It wasn't so swell for the Heat, who shot just 40 percent (30 of 75 field goals) and only 28 percent from long distance (7 of 25). Miami made 20 of 27 field goals and had more rebounds, 41-40, but the Spurs handily won the assists battle, 25-14.
"Amazing." It makes last year OK," said an ecstatic Duncan.
"Just the close of a career. I know it's coming to an end. Don't know if I'll ever have a chance to do this again. My kids and all we've been through, just a real emotional ride," Duncan added.
Showing the class that have made them 2-time defending champions, the Heat were gracious in defeat.
"They played exquisite basketball this series and in particular these past 3 games and they are the better team," said Miami head coach Erick Spoelstra.
"They dominated us at every facet of the game," said LeBron James after his team's 3-peat bid met it's fateful demise in San Antonio.(Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Tim Duncan and the Spurs are back in the NBA mountain top, winning their 5th title since 1999.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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