At the NBA's biggest stage -- with the two clear-cut best teams in the NBA -- the most talked about topic will be the air conditioning. Or should I say, the lack of air conditioning.
The malfunctioning air conditioning was cute at first, a small thing that made the game appeal to even the casual sports fan.
"Haha! It's hot in there... Look at how red Popovich is getting...! I bet Ginobli is proud of his bald spot now...!"
Although the A/C had not been working since tip-off, the players did not seem to mind it so much in the first half. LeBron was even making jokes about it, saying how the Spurs were trying to "smoke us out of here". The Spurs maintained a five point lead at halftime, but the game was played evenly, if not even in the Heat's favor.
Fast forward to the second half, and the heat really started to wreak havoc on the Heat and Spurs players. Rotations became shorter for both teams and the bench depth of the Spurs became a major advantage in their favor. The only reason the Spurs did not run away from the Heat in the third quarter was due to their inordinate amount of turnovers. Every starter, save Danny Green, had at least four turnovers in the ballgame.
The Heat were able to take the lead going into the fourth quarter thanks to wonderful performances by Bosh, Wade, and Allen. Ray-Ray even had a fast-break jam circa 2004 Ray Allen (although he did get away with a stiff arm of Marco Bellinelli). A boneheaded foul by Tim Duncan on a converted 3 pointer by Bosh seemed like it may have been a crucial turning point to where the Heat could manage a semi-comfortable lead. However, the Spurs do what the Spurs do and kept themselves in the game with pick-and-rolls between Parker and Splitter -- usually resulting in a dive by Splitter, an on-time, on-target pass by Parker, and an easy layup/dunk for Splitter. Going into the fourth, the Heat had a four point lead.
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| LeBron suffers with cramps on the bench as he watches the Spurs offense eviscerate the Heat defense |
The fourth quarter was ruled by the heat. Not the Heat, but the heat. Just ask LeBron James. With about eight minutes left in the game, the Heat had back-to-back possessions where LBJ took Kawhii Leonard 1-on-1 in the right corner and settled for a step-back jumper. Both attempts by The King were missed, seeing as he is not the greatest jump shooter in the world. To me, this was an obvious way in which the lack of A/C affected the outcome of the game. A healthy LeBron James is getting an isolation on Leonard (who in his own right is a solid defender) and having shooters post up in the corner and on the opposite wing. After LBJ gets this situation, a drive will result in a layup, foul, or kick-out to an open shooter after the defense crashes to try to help out on the best player in the world. If you watched the first half of the game, you saw one stretch where on back-to-back possessions LBJ drove straight at Boris Diaw and finished pretty easily at the rim. Cramps were not in effect during the first half.
However, credit must also go to the Spurs offense, who hardly missed a shot in the fourth quarter. Danny Green finally found his shot and rattled off several three pointers. Green is a streak shooter. If he sees one shot go in, you can expect several more to fall. If he misses, however, a close-out on him is not the most important thing in the world.
The lack of LeBron for the majority of the fourth quarter and the resurrection of the Spurs offense -- in particular the passing game -- caused the last seven minutes of the game to be completely dominated by the Spurs.
NOTE: Anyone who compares the Flu Game to the AC Game has never played with/experienced a muscle cramp. It is impossible to move. Your muscle is paralyzed.
Spurs -- 110
Heat -- 95
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| Lance could have solved everyone's problem |
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