Philippines, 01 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Finals - Spurs dethrone Heat to win 5th NBA title


PhilBoxing.com




MIAMI -- The Miami Heat are champions no more, dethroned by the San Antonio Spurs who won this year's NBA Finals following after a 104-87 Game 5 blowout Sunday night at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs avenged last year's heartbreaking Finals defeat at the hands of the mighty Heat by capturing the 7-game series, 4-1.

Named NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs assault with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills fired up the bench with 19 and 17, respectively, while Tony Parker had 16 points. Tim Duncan registered 14 and 8 boards.

With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Heat played with the intent of extending the series to a Game 6. And with LeBron James catching fire early, Miami quickly jumped to a 22-6 start.

But from that point on, it went downhill for the two-time defending champs.

San Antonio closed the gap at 29-22 after one quarter, and thanks to a 25-11 spurt in the second period, the Spurs surged ahead 47-40 at halftime. It then turned into a laugher as the San Antonio, which led by as many as 22, poured 30 more in third quarter to take a 58-77 bubble entering the final 12 minutes.

James had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, but he got virtually no support from his celebrated teammates.

Chris Bosh finished with only 13 points on 6-for-14 shooting. Dwyane Wade had a tepid 11 points and missed 8 of 12 field goals while turning the ball over three times. And the Heat bench was out-gunned by San Antonio's, 47-24.

After a slow start, the Spurs ended up making 37 of 78 field goals (47.4 percent), including a 12 for 26 fare (46.2 percent) form 3-point range. They also converted 18 of their 23 free throws (78.3 percent).

It wasn't so swell for the Heat, who shot just 40 percent (30 of 75 field goals) and only 28 percent from long distance (7 of 25). Miami made 20 of 27 field goals and had more rebounds, 41-40, but the Spurs handily won the assists battle, 25-14.

"Amazing." It makes last year OK," said an ecstatic Duncan.

"Just the close of a career. I know it's coming to an end. Don't know if I'll ever have a chance to do this again. My kids and all we've been through, just a real emotional ride," Duncan added.

Showing the class that have made them 2-time defending champions, the Heat were gracious in defeat.

"They played exquisite basketball this series and in particular these past 3 games and they are the better team," said Miami head coach Erick Spoelstra.

"They dominated us at every facet of the game," said LeBron James after his team's 3-peat bid met it's fateful demise in San Antonio.(Homer D. Sayson)

Photo: Tim Duncan and the Spurs are back in the NBA mountain top, winning their 5th title since 1999.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA order
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
    , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
    , Fri, 26 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 26 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
    , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • 3-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
    , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
    , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • The Pryce is right again!
    , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.