2014 NBA Finals Game 2 Preview: Miami Aims to Tie Best-of-Seven Series Against San Antonio
Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs are wary of a Miami Heat bounce back game-- especially LeBron James, who has had his share of criticisms after the “cramps” game.
The “air-conditioning conspiracy” has pretty much dominated the conversations since San Antonio’s 110-to-95 victory in last Thursday’s Game 1. In that game, James suffered a cramps—apparently because of the heat at the A&T Center in Texas-- with roughly 4:00 to go in the game and the Spurs took full advantage in turning the close game to a blowout victory.
"Because we was in the same situation and we know they can win here, and so we just have to go out there and play our game and try to win this one. I think it's a big game for the series,” shared Tony Parker via the league’s official website.
For the record, Miami lost series openers in the 2013 NBA Finals versus these Spurs and the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Heat nonetheless came back and win both series to win the title.
"Our focus is on how we can win ballgames and understand in the series it's the first one to four; not the first one to one, not the first one to two, not the first one to three. You win a series by being the first one to four. We understand the journey, we understand the path and what it takes to get there," declared Wade, who most likely remember that they were down, 3-2 against San Antonio in the best-of-seven series last year.
James finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals while Wade had 19 points on 8-of-18 field goal shooting. The Heat faltered in the tail-end of Game 1 getting outscored 23-9 in the final three minutes and 56 seconds—the time James left due to cramps.
The Spurs rediscovered a hero in Danny Green who had 13 points, most of which coming in the crucial payoff period. Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds while Parker had 19 points and 8 assists. Manu Ginobili finished ended up with 16 points and 11 assists off the bench.
Game 2 begins at 9:00 pm on Sunday (9:00 a.m. on Monday in Australia).