Game 5 Halftime Post

Score: MIA 40 SA 47

Alright welcome in to the halftime post of game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals where the Spurs come back from a horrendous 1st quarter that saw the Heat capture a lead for the first time in the finals at the end of a quarter and now the Spurs answer back and hold onto a 7 point lead at the half.

The Positives

LeBron James, 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6-12 shooting. He's setting the tone alright, the King is setting the tone and he's the only Heat player in double-figures in the half. James is doing his part, he has been the most consistent in the finals for Miami, the only problem is, he's not finding help the last few games and that's why the Heat saw their fast start evaporated.

Kawhi Leonard 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5-7 shooting. If the Spurs win today, hands down Leonard deserves to be Finals MVP. It's really a tough decision on the Finals MVP because this Spurs team plays so well that the whole team needs one. But individual-wise, Leonard deserves it putting up great games the last 2 games and now he's helped the Spurs come back from a mini slump this game.

Manu Ginobili, 14 points, 5-7 shooting. GINOBILI! Let me shout it again GINOBILI! He's shown some vintage strides this game with a sweet coast-to-coast layup and a dunk. 

The Negatives

Tony Parker, 0 point, 0-7 shooting. Yikes Tony Parker. One could wonder how much the Spurs lead would stretch if Parker hit any of those shots. The Heat made the adjustments putting big bodies on him on defense, but from what I'm seeing, Parker is missing shots that he's usually making in these finals.

Heat role players. Like I said before, LeBron's doing all the work, the rest of the Heat have to step up. So far, no one has stepped up outside of LeBron. Ray Allen in the lineup, not doing anything, Lewis nothing, Wade, though 8 points, nothing, Bosh, nothing. They're riding the fact that LeBron will do the work to set the tone and get the team going, but they're not performing better even with LeBron's hot start this game. Someone has to step up.

Bottom Line

The Spurs need a better start at the beginning of the 2nd half if they want to end this. Do what they do best, suffocating defense and great ball movement and Kawhi's hot, give him the ball. For the Heat, who's going to be the X-factor outside LeBron to push the series back to Miami?


KEY: TEXT = San Antonio; TEXT = Miami