Final Score: NBA Finals Game 5 @ SA MIA 104 SA 114
A pivotal game 5 in the books and the Spurs come out on top to take a 3-2 lead over the Miami Heat as they are now one game away from clinching their 5th NBA title.
Some positives for the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade has been the Heat's best player so far in this finals, sorry LeBron fans. The '06 Finals MVP scored 25 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists on 10-22 shooting, relentlessly attacking to the basket to keep his team afloat. I keep saying this, if the Heat somehow win the next two games in Miami, he should be Finals MVP, if it's LeBron, it's all for the media hype. Another positive Ray Allen, 21 points, two 4 point plays this game, truly Ray Ray found the shooting touch in this series, game 3 was his only game where he was held into single digits and he's given the Heat a bench player that can score in double figures. LeBron James, I wouldn't put him in the positive nor put in the negative, but he's in a limbo in between those two. After putting up a spectacular performance in game 4, he didn't have a good shooting night just 8-22 from shooting, but finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Negative, point guard play. I'm not sure what Spoelstra is trying to do, but from glimpses I think he's trying to put longer, bigger defenders on Tony Parker to give him a hard time, particularly he was putting LeBron on Parker most of the game. Chalmers, just 7 points, awful shooting and Norris Cole didn't even see significant playing time this whole game, just attempting one shot. Another negative, finishing in the rim, I mean you talk about a team that is so athletic, a team that is so good in the fast break, can't even buy a bucket in transition. Just a horrible in transition game for the Heat, but it was just better transition D from the Heat.
For the San Antonio Spurs, they took a page out of the Miami Heat playbook, pushing the tempo and attacking the rim. Positive, the Spurs' starting 5, especially Manu Ginobili. BatManu, Obi-Wan Ginobili, whatever you Spurs fans nickname him, he has found the range and the youth this game. I know I harshly criticize his play this series, but you can't deny his infinite competitive spirit. Manu finished with 24 points, 10 assists on 8-14 shooting in his first start since forever. If Manu puts up these kinds of numbers next game, along with Spur's great team play, there's no chance for the Heat. Tony Parker, is this guy faking his hamstring injury? Parker scored 26 points on 10-14 shooting, he was attacking the basket all game long, finding the open teammate, and pushing the tempo to clamp down Miami's D. Danny Green, hands down the Spurs' Finals MVP, the way he's been playing so far. 24 points, 6-10 from downtown ultimately breaking Ray Allen's record for most 3's this game, the guy has been unbelievable. Tim Duncan tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds and Kawhi Leonard racked up 16 points. The starting 5 of the Spurs just shooting the ball well. A negative, bench play. First time in a long time the Spurs' bench played sub-par and the bench is going to be a critical X-factor heading into game 6.
Game 6, do or die for the Heat. For the Spurs, the sky is the limit to fulfill their destiny of a 5th NBA championship.
Next Game: NBA Finals Game 6 @ MIA (06/18/13)
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