Revenge is a dish best served hot, and after a cold opening for San Antonio on their home turf in Game 5, the Spurs’ offense began scorching the net in the second quarter to send the Miami Heat on their heels. After trailing Miami in the first quarter with a deficit as harrowing as 22-6, San Antonio came back to lead 47-40 at the end of the half. Miami’s inability to keep up with the surging Spurs led to a 104-87 blowout that earned San Antonio their fifth Championship in 15 years.
San Antonio’s victory prevented Miami from winning three titles in a row. This NBA Finals served as a rematch for last year’s, where the Spurs blew a lead with under half a minute left in Game 6 that would have earned them the title, but Miami came back to win in overtime and go on to win the series in Game 7.
After last year’s defeat, many wondered if San Antonio would disperse and rebuild. With its veteran stars like Tim Duncan, 38, and Manu Ginobili, nearly 37, and point guard, Tony Parker, 32, approaching the tail end of their careers, fans and analysts considered how much more they had in them.
It turns out they have more than enough. The veterans were well and able, with Duncan netting 14 points and Ginobili adding 19, but the younger players still stepped up. Kawhi Leonard had 22 points and 10 rebounds in Game 5 and earned the Finals’ Most Valuable Player award. When Parker was cold for much of the game, missing his first 10 field goal attempts before making his next seven, backup guard Patty Mills picked up the slack, scoring 14 points in the third quarter alone.
“This is a team,” Ginobili said. “That’s what makes it so nice.” He went on to explain how the Spurs are not simply Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, but everyone working together, all contributing to their victory.
San Antonio seemed to be running a clinic against Miami, winning their four games by an average of 18 points.
Duncan set NBA records for postseason minutes played and playoff double-doubles, and he became the first player to win at least one championship in three different decades as a starter. He has not announced intentions to retire after this season.
“I don’t see any reason, watching him play, why he can’t continue to be a great player. He’ll make that decision,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said, according to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News Spurs coverage team. Instead of answering questions about his retirement at great length, Duncan preferred to focus his responses on his team pride.
“I’m honored to be on this team right now, with the future Kawhi has,” Duncan said.
https://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2014/06/16/0041300405-mia-sas-duncan-on-court-postgame.nba//
Photo: NBA.com
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