NBA Playoffs 2014 Bracket, Standings & Schedule: Spurs Edge Heat in Series Opener Amid Blistering Temperatures
It was a hot game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, 90 degrees to be exact. Because of an electrical failure, the air conditioner at the arena was not working.
Usually this is not a big deal, but we don't really see this kind of thing happen at the NBA Finals. The last time this happened was in the 1984 Finals at the Boston Garden in Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Temperatures hit as high as 97 degrees.
The Spurs struck first with Manu Ginóbili knocking down three perimeter shots in the first quarter. Through the next two quarters, it was a very even game. Through the first three quarters the Spurs committed what looked like a million turnovers, and the Heat took their biggest lead (10 points) of the game in the third quarter. The Heat won the second quarter and easily won the third quarter by nine points taking a 78-74 lead into the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for the Heat, the high temperatures affected their best player the most.
With about seven minutes left in regulation, LeBron James left the game because of cramps. He would make another attempt to return, but after a slam dunk, the cramps returned and he exited the game. James scored just two points in the fourth quarter. With James having cramping issues, the Spurs dominated the fourth quarter by outscoring the Heat 36-17.
Danny Green erupted in the final quarter with three perimeter shots and scored 11 points. This comes as no surprise because James was the one guarding him when he was in the game.
For Heat fans, this loss might sting, but it shouldn't be devastating. The Heat have lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals the last two years, and both times they rebounded to win the Championship. What are the odds that the four time MVP misses the majority of next game's fourth quarter because of cramps? Another thing to keep in mind for Miami is the game was in San Antonio. The Spurs should have won this game, and they did. If the Heat can win Game 2, they will take a 1-1 series tie back to South Beach.
For Spurs fans, a win is a win. Everybody showed up when it mattered most. Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter showed they have the superior front court and got to the free throw line twice as much as the Heat did. Tony Parker's ankle looked just fine. Parker and Ginóbili had more assists than the entire Heat team combined. James obviously left the game late, but Spurs players had to deal with extreme conditions as well. The Spurs had 22 turnovers and still won by 15 points; imagine what they could do if they protect the ball in Game 2?
Game two will be played Sunday night at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
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