Game Recap: NBA Finals, Game 7 – Heat Surge To Victory Late, Down Spurs In Overtime

Jun 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) blocks the shot of San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (4) during overtime of game six in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami defeated San Antonio 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

I apologize if tonight’s recap seems a little short. I don’t have much to say about tonight’s game. This may be more of a ranting and venting article than a game recap.

The San Antonio Spurs were 22 seconds away from becoming the 2013 NBA Champions. But a LeBron James missed three, followed by a Mike Miller offensive rebound (Seriously, Mike Miller out of all people.), which led to another LeBron three, brought Miami within two. Kawhi Leonard missed a free throw to ice the game, leaving the Heat one last chance. LeBron James again missed a three, only to have Chris Bosh grab an offensive rebound, kick it to Ray Allen in the corner, and as he’s done his entire career, swish a cold blooded three pointer in the defenses face.

And that was just the sequence to send the game into overtime.

Leading the way for the Spurs tonight was Tim Duncan, who had a vintage performance with 30 points and 17 rebounds. Also leading San Antonio, a 22 point-11 rebound performance from Kawhi Leonard.

For the Heat, despite a rough start, LeBron James finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the triple-double. And the man who led the Heat in scoring for most of the night, Mario Chalmers, ended the game with 20 points and four rebounds.

But there were two big factors, in my opinion, to why the Spurs lost tonight’s game. The first one is very simple. Despite his Game 5 performance, Manu Ginobili absolutely crapped the bed tonight. The Argentinian had eight of the Spurs 13 turnovers tonight, and all of them came on the most ridiculous pass attempts. It’s as if he didn’t see the Heat defenders swarming him.

The second factor, and I know what I’m about to do is practically a sin in San Antonio, but I blame Gregg Popovich as well. Down the stretch, Pop went to a move that he’s done plenty of times in the regular season: He benched Tim Duncan while the Spurs were on defense, to give them someone a little more agile (Boris Diaw). The move worked. Twice. But when the Spurs needed a rebound, there was no one there to pull down a game-clinching board. Something I’m convinced Duncan would have done on both those possessions.

But it’s too late now. The Spurs had their chance to close the Heat out, with the silver and black nearly surviving horrid performances from both Ginobili and Parker. Now it’s on to Game 7 on Thursday, in Miami.

Still 15 down and one to the ultimate goal. Regardless of whoever wins, only 48 minutes remain in the 2012-2013 NBA season.

Go Spurs Go.