San Antonio Spurs: Game 2 of the NBA Finals, briefly historized

Before Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals, let’s look back at the San Antonio Spurs’ recent history in the second game of the last series.

The San Antonio Spurs have a long history in the NBA Finals over the past two decades. With five championships, six Finals appearances and a handful of memories, it makes for plenty to look back in this era of Silver and Black Basketball.

For this year’s NBA Finals, Game 2 will get underway at 8:00 p.m. ET, between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors claimed Game 1 to go up 1-0 in this series.

Game 2 can provide critical moments in a series, especially for the team that’s down. Cleveland will face this Sunday night, but what about the Spurs? How did they perform in the second game of the NBA’s last series? Let’s look at a brief and recent history:

More from Spurs News

• Spurs’ Coach Becky Hammon profiled in national spotlight
• Shaquille O’Neal praises Spurs’ drama-free dynasty
• Spurs: 3 players who would be massive mistakes to sign as free agents
• Spurs: The Ringer calls San Antonio the 4th most believable play-in team
• San Antonio Spurs vs. Celtics: How to watch, game time, injury report

Game 2 of the 2007 NBA Finals vs. Cavaliers

Game 2 of the 2007 NBA Finals pitted San Antonio against a young LeBron James and a non-superstar, defensive-minded group of teammates around him. Despite this rising phenom’s 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, however, the Spurs mostly took control from start to finish (sans a 30-14 fourth quarter from the Cavs, when the game was out of reach) and won, 103-92.

The old “Big 3” of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker combined for 88 points, and Duncan even neared a triple-double (23 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists). Robert Horry even chipped in 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Spurs eventually won Game 3 and 4, sweeping the series to win the championship.

Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals

The San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat battled in most of the most climactic NBA Finals of the decade. Game 1 saw San Antonio edge out the new “Big 3,” but Game 2 was a different story.

Five Miami players scored in double digits, with two just one point away from reaching this mark. It was not LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh that led the way, though, as Mario Chalmers broke out for 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting and 2-for-4 from long range.

A 49.4 percent shooting night from the Heat led the way and tied the series at 1-1. It would go seven games, with the Ray Allen shot from Game 6 that left a lasting memory.

Game 2 of the 2014 NBA Finals

San Antonio and Miami rematched for the 2014 NBA title, except this series took a different, less dramatic turn from the year before. This resulted in a redemption tour for the Spurs and a decisive 4-1 series win.

However, the only game the Heat won was Game 2, 98-96. James’s 35 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals carried his squad to victory, with double-digit point efforts from Bosh, Wade and Rashard Lewis.

The Spurs had strong performances from Duncan, Ginobili and Parker, but poor shooting nights from Kawhi Leonard and part of the team’s bench contributed to the defeat. Even with that, they still shot 46.2 percent on 3-pointers.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: After the lottery

It’s a brief history and recent history of Game 2 to bridge Sunday’s matchup between the Cavaliers and Warriors. Will either team create a memory at Oracle Arena?