When you play the San Antonio Spurs, there is always a risk of getting completely blown out of the game – sometimes by half time.
You just don’t expect the Miami Heat to be one of those teams.
In two consecutive games in the NBA Finals, no less.
No matter how you predicted this series would go (I predicted Spurs in 6), no one could have seen this coming. The Heat were supposed to be the most formidable bunch for the Spurs after coasting through the entire season – even up to the conference finals. After splitting the first two games on the road and showing they were more than capable of competing with San Antonio during that stretch, the Heat have been utterly demolished in two home games.
The Spurs once again got out to a huge 55-36 lead in the first half with precise ball movement and unselfish play, and ultimately took the 3-1 series lead with a convincing 107-86 victory. Kawhi Leonard was once again terrific on both ends of the floor, scoring 20 points on seven-of-12 shooting to go with 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. Tim Duncan had another historical night with 10 points and 11 rebounds to pass Magic Johnson for the all-time playoff double-double list. He also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most minutes in the playoffs. Boris Diaw was sensational with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
LeBron James did all he could to help the Heat stay in the game with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, but Dwyane Wade couldn’t find the basket on Thursday, as he managed to score 10 points on just three-of-13 shooting.
Players around the league were once again quick to praise San Antonio, but some of them finally started coming down hard on Miami’s lackluster play:
It’s clear as day right now who the refs want to win Game 4 tonight.. #smh
— Patrick Patterson (@pdpatt) June 13, 2014
The spurs just start so quickly every game. Tough for the heat to continue to come back every time.
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) June 13, 2014
What is that @theborisdiaw dunking?? Shot this is serious
— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo0) June 13, 2014
A Spurs tape should be required watching for successful teams. They’re putting on a clinic
— Brevin Knight (@brevinknight22) June 13, 2014
You would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you keep the game simple. Spurs are showing that. #SpursVsHeat
— Paul Millsap (@Paulmillsap4) June 13, 2014
The heat are just a step late on everything #NBAfinals
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas2) June 13, 2014
Boris Diaw is amazing…
— Nemanja Nedovic (@nedovic1624) June 13, 2014
That Boris Diaw pass…
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) June 13, 2014
I don’t get why Mike Beasley don’t play smh!
— Jordan Hamilton (@J_Goin_HAM) June 13, 2014
What is Lebron doing? He better get aggressive quick. #NBAFinals
— Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) June 13, 2014
If the heat are going to depend on ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to carry them it’s a wrap. This is not the Seattle sonics!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas2) June 13, 2014
You can shoot 76 percent in a half when you’re disciplined enough to move the ball like the Spurs do
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) June 13, 2014
Where is the HEAT??????? No sense of urgency
— Jason Terry (@jasonterry31) June 13, 2014
Is this Chess anymore?
— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) June 13, 2014
Thought for sure that Chalmers shot was gonna hit the side of the backboard, the way things have gone for him
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) June 13, 2014
Spurs just straight ballin right now !!
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) June 13, 2014
Wow
— Jason Thompson (@jtthekid) June 13, 2014
Trouble for Miami. #NBAFinals Didn’t see this coming
— Mateen Cleaves (@Mateen_Cleaves) June 13, 2014
Yes Bala!
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) June 13, 2014
Well damn…
— Greg Monroe (@M10OSE) June 13, 2014
Somebody give mario a mushroom
— rudy gobert (@rudygobert15) June 13, 2014
Not looking good right now… They need the KingJames version Bron lol
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 13, 2014
If not for the mistake kick , @dallasmavs would have been in the finals and champions as i predicted before the playoffs started!!
— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) June 13, 2014
Middle penetration is killing the heat. The spurs touching the paint at will
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) June 13, 2014
Mike Beasley !!!! He needs a chance in game 5 for sure…. Game 4 is over
— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) June 13, 2014
Dead ass Mike Beasley would at least put the ball in the basket and play hard.
— James White (@Flight8) June 13, 2014
Hottest line of the finals so far by @MarkJackson13 WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE AND KAWHI!!
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) June 13, 2014
Who thinks this is Lebron’s last home game for the Heat???
— Delonte West (@CharleeRedz13_) June 13, 2014
I’m just saying, look at the playoffs. Which team gave the spurs the toughest time? Which team made the spurs fans worried? Dallas!
— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) June 13, 2014
Boris Diaw is pretty good!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) June 13, 2014
Spurs ball movement is crazy! ML
— DeJuan Blair (@DeJuan45) June 13, 2014
Just got off the e-way. Surprised at the score, thought for sure Heat had this one or at least be in the game. Still early though I guess
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) June 13, 2014
man, that gym in miami is so quiet i thought i’d hit the mute button.
— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) June 13, 2014
These last two games make you wonder how the hell Miami won one in San Antonio and how in the world Mavs took Spurs to 7
— Dan Le Batard Show (@LeBatardShow) June 13, 2014
Draw n kick working every time. You have to make spurs play 1 on 1 in order to stop them. #machine #teamwork
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) June 13, 2014
@MettaWorldPeace what r u talking about?? It is a good game by the Spurs!!!
— Beno Udrih (@BenoUdrih1) June 13, 2014
Lebron should just sit out the 4 quarter. There’s nothing more he can do to get them back in this game.
— Delonte West (@CharleeRedz13_) June 13, 2014
James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.