Kawhi Leonard was sensational for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2014 NBA Finals and scored his career-high 29 points, enough to beat the Miami Heat 111-92 and lead the series 2-1. The Spurs also shot 76 percent in the first half, a new NBA Finals record.
After the Heat even the series in Game 2 in front of San Antonio's crowd, the Spurs returned to the arena where they were oh-so-close to winning a fifth championship last year and came out playing like they were trying to build a lead that was impossible to blow. The Spurs led by as much as 25 and were only briefly challenged in their second lopsided victory in the series.
The Spurs have done all of this without huge games from either Parker, Duncan, or Ginobili who just scored 15, 14 and 11 respectively.
LeBron James just had 22 points, five rebounds and seven assists. He also had seven turnovers. Dwyane Wade added 22 for the Heat. Those two and Chris Bosh combined to go 21-for-30 from the field. But the Heat's offense wasn't the problem but their defense for they shot 51.6% from the field and 47.6% on threes and still lost by 19.
"They jumped on us. They were the aggressors and had us on our heels from the start, which shouldn't happen at this point in the season. We will get better from tonight," James said. "We hate the performance we put on tonight. But it's 2-1, not 4-1."
The Game 3 winner has been gone on to win the Finals 30 of the last 36 times according to statistics. But keep in mind, San Antonio won Game 3 against Miami last year — it was a blowout — and Miami won the title.
Game 4 is on Friday (Philippine Time) still in Miami and both teams are looking forward to either increase the lead to 3-1 or even the series to 2-2.
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| Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2093025-spurs-vs-heat-game-3-live-score-highlights-and-reaction |
After the Heat even the series in Game 2 in front of San Antonio's crowd, the Spurs returned to the arena where they were oh-so-close to winning a fifth championship last year and came out playing like they were trying to build a lead that was impossible to blow. The Spurs led by as much as 25 and were only briefly challenged in their second lopsided victory in the series.
LeBron James just had 22 points, five rebounds and seven assists. He also had seven turnovers. Dwyane Wade added 22 for the Heat. Those two and Chris Bosh combined to go 21-for-30 from the field. But the Heat's offense wasn't the problem but their defense for they shot 51.6% from the field and 47.6% on threes and still lost by 19.
Now, pressure is on Miami to even the series again before going back to San Antonio. The Heat have been great since the 2011 Finals taking responsibility for their mistakes. They have not lost consecutive playoff home games since 2012 — a string of 13 consecutive victories following a loss.
Game 4 is on Friday (Philippine Time) still in Miami and both teams are looking forward to either increase the lead to 3-1 or even the series to 2-2.
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