2014 NBA Finals Game 1 review: San Antonio Spurs outlast the Miami Heat to go up 1-0
San Antonio Spurs have begun the NBA finals on a great note with a win over the defending champions Miami Heat in Game 1 . The air conditioner malfunction at the AT & T center did play a role in the match. That is not a knock on the San Antonio Spurs, who played a great all-around game despite having 22 turnovers including 9 in just the 3rd quarter; the worst quarter of the game. LeBron James suffered severe cramps during the 4th quarter and ultimately left the game. Spurs’ capitalized on LeBron’s departure as they notched up a 15-4 lead soon after.
Although the air conditioner malfunction troubled everybody in the arena, the best player on the floor was affected the most. LeBron was sidelined as he experienced breathing problem and cramps. The crowd chanted "Beat the Heat! Beat the Heat!" late in the game, which was just what the fans themselves were trying to do.
Both teams got off to a great start in the first quarter.
Manu Ginobili, the Argentinian star, led the Spurs in the first quarter with 9 points. He finished the game with 16 points and orchestrated his team’s offense with 11 assists. Tim Duncan showed little emotion as always, and finished with a very efficient 21 points on 9-of -10 shooting and 10 rebounds. It was Tim’s 156th NBA Playoffs double-double, 1 shy of tying Magic Johnson’s all-time record.
Tony Parker had 19 points by the end of the game. The unpredictable Danny Green had a horrible start. He showed up in the 4th quarter by scoring three important 3-pointers and finished with 13 points.
LeBron James did have a good game with 25 points and 6 rebounds before he left due to cramps.The other two members of the Big Three, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh had 19 and 18 points respectively. Ray Allen started off well, but missed open 3 pointers in the second half. He finished with 16 points including a slam dunk where he turned back the clock. The Heat’s bench was outplayed by the Spurs’ bench later on in the 2nd half.
San Antonio Spurs outlasted the defending champions Miami Heat 110-95.