2013 NBA Finals: Game 1 Recap

If you read my 2013 NBA Finals Outlook, you’ll note that Athena struck first Thursday night. Taking the lead late in the 3^rd for their first lead since early in the 1^st, the San Antonio Spurs looked like the more mature and experienced team the rest of the way, taking Game 1 92-88 and with it, the always important home court from the Heat.

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James couldn’t get it done.

With the exception of the 4^th quarter, the Miami Heat played a solid game, with LeBron obviously making his mark early in the series. LeBron went off. Picking up his second straight NBA Finals triple-double, the king had 18pts, 18rbs, and 10asts for a Heat team that looked as hesitant in the 4^th as any team in recent memory. Wade had another respectable performance adding 17pts and some great defense on Ginobili throughout. It is interesting to note that Miami throughout much of the 4^th without a true point guard on the floor, adopting a bigger lineup that proved lackluster in (obviously) setting up plays, leading to some errant shots from Bosh and Chalmers late. Chris Bosh did have a more productive night but it came at a cost, shooting just 6-16 from the field (yeah LeBron only shot 7-16, but he also had a TRIPLE-DOUBLE) for 13pts, and missed a wide open three that could’ve cut the deficit to 2 late in the 4^th. I was expecting more out of Norris Cole in terms of minutes, as he only had 17 to Chalmers’ 27, and that may be something Miami looks into when adjusting for Game 2. Also, MIKE MILLER. Miller, played a great game Friday night, with 5pts and 4asts in just 20 minutes of playing time, look for him to be a bigger factor throughout this series, possibly replacing Battier in a majority of Miami’s lineups. Overall, Miami did win the rebounding battle (46-37) but stumbled down the stretch, looking hesitant on offense and taken out of sync by the relentless San Antonio defense.

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Parker, after the most clutch shot of his career.

How about the Spurs!? Tony Parker continued his Playoff MVP candidacy Thursday night, hitting the most absurd game-sort-of-winning-shot in a long time:

Not only is Parker unfazed by LeBron guarding him (second in DPOY voting), but he works the clock down entirely like a champion knows how to do, nearly falls over, keeps his balance and dribble, pivots, and hits the most clutch shot of his career-it was beautiful. If you haven’t been watching the NBA for the past decade and a half, you’ll want to know who Tim Duncan is. The 37-year-old, playing in his 23^rd Finals game of an illustrious career, had 20pts and 14rbs after a nightmare 1^st quarter. Duncan and Splitter both played great games, controlling the paint when necessary and overcoming a night that, by stats, should’ve belonged to Miami. Did I mention that the Spurs are well coached? Good lord, they had 4 turnovers all night! Miami had 5 in the 4^th! Look for Popovich to preach the rebounding game, as well as possibly use Blair (who didn’t play a single minute in Game 1) down low to counteract the Spurs smaller lineup that comes in when Duncan is off the floor. Blair has provided some great minutes for San Antonio this year and plays a more physical game than Boris Diaw who, frankly, looked comical in a matchup with LeBron. Danny Green will need to replicate his numbers from Game 1 as well, and how about Kawhi Leonard! That kid is 21 years old! Leonard provided some great defensive minutes for San Antonio and didn’t look fazed in the slightest to be playing in a Finals game during his rookie season. Props, Kawhi.

Game 2 isn’t until Sunday. Let’s see what Miami draws up to counteract the Spurs resounding Game 1 victory, because they’ll be damned if they’re going to lose home court. For those preaching “Dallas in 2011 all over again,” I’m highly doubting that the Spurs have anyone (with the exception of Parker) who can manage the 27.7ppg Nowitzki put down in that series, meaning, that this series is far from over.