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NBA Finals -- Spurs' Big 3 need a big Game 3
By Rodene Ivan B. Cortes
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 12 Jun 2013
NEW YORK -- Shaken up by their 103-84 Game 2 loss nearly 48 hours ago, the San Antonio Spurs return home to the AT@T Center Tuesday night to host the Miami Heat in Game 3 of this year's NBA Finals.
With the best-of-7 series now reduced to five, the stakes just got higher. Since the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format was adopted in 1985, the Game 3 winners of a series that was tied after two games went on to win the championship 12 out of 13 times.
If the Spurs were to protect their homecourt and surge ahead 2-1, they need to shoot better than 41 percent from the field and handle the ball with better care. San Antonio also need to play better defense against the Heat offense, which made 41 of 83 field goals and 10-of-19 triples. Leading only by 10, 75-65, after three quarters of play, Miami put Game 2 beyond doubt with a 19-2 run to open the fourth quarter.
LeBron James had a quiet 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds but the King got plenty of help from his support cast.
Mario Chalmers had 19 points while Ray Allen pumped three threes for 13 points. Chris Bosh added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Dwyane Wade finished with 10 despite shooting only 5-for-13 from the field. Mike Miller and Chris "The Birdman" Andersen joined the fray with nine points apiece as Miami overcame a 44-36 rebounding disadvantage.
While the Heat were clicking nearly on all cylinders, the Spurs couldn't get anything going as their Big Three played poor collectively.
Tim Duncan missed 10 of 13 shots for nine points. Manu Ginobili looked discombobulated in Game 2 with five points and three turnovers. Tony Parker had 13 points and five assists but the pesky Heat defense made him miss nine of 14 shots and he had five turnovers. If not for Danny Green, who made five triples for 17 points, the Spurs loss would have been a worse blowout last Sunday night.
Their Game 2 struggles aside, the Spurs have to be feeling great to be back home. They are 6-1 at home at the AT@T Center. (RIC)
Photo: The Spurs' Big 3 of Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker (L to R) were held to 27 points in Game 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rodene Ivan B. Cortes.
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