Expected to be a close season finale following an epic Game 6 overtime clash, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs went blow-for-blow for the first 24 minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. LeBron James and Ray Allen were the heroes in the previous 103-100 win to send the series to a decisive game but throughout the first 2 quarters, Dwyane Wade returned to his All-Star form propelling Miami to a 46-44 halftime advantage.
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Wade shot 7-of-12 from the floor in the first half for 14 points in 18 total minutes while league MVP LeBron James led all first half scorers with 15 points on a solid 5-for-11 shooting. While the one-two punch of Wade and LeBron carried the home team to a two-point advantage at the break, the veteran Spurs received most of their offense from a familiar duo of their own.
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan combined for 23 points in the first half to keep San Antonio step-for-step. The Spurs lost a golden opportunity to claim their fifth title in 15 seasons on Tuesday night but showing great resolve Thursday evening at the American Airlines Arena in South Beach, the Spurs once again found themselves in a tight ballgame. Along with the efforts of Parker and Duncan, rising star Kawhi Leonard added 7 points while pulling down 11 first half rebounds to provide the black and white with added assistance on both ends of the floor and much-needed intensity.
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A tight battle ensued in the third quarter as LeBron James and co. continued to apply offensive pressure, but every time Miami seemed to gain control San Antonio fired back, at one point scoring 8 points in a 45-second span to regain a brief lead. When Heat guard Mario Chalmers banked home a three-pointer at the buzzed to end the third, Miami headed into the final 12 championship minutes with a 72-71 lead, setting up the tightknit fourth quarter basketball fans everywhere were craving following the Game 6 prerequisite.
James continued his hot play in the fourth quarter, knocking down big shots in clutch situations to once again crack the 30-plus point plateau. Finishing Game 7 with 37 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, the league MVP led his team to another title, sending the American Airlines Arena into an absolute frenzy. Dwayne Wade - who won his third title as a member of the Heat - finished with 23 points on 11-of-21 shooting while sharp-shooting Shane Battier added 18 points off the bench, knocking down 6 of his 8 three point attempts.
Failing to win their fifth title in 15 seasons, San Antonio struggled to make the big plays down the stretch while turning the ball over in key spots. Manu Ginobili did score 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting but 4 crucial turnovers gave possession back to the Heat and more times than not, the champs made San Antonio pay. The 37-year-old Duncan ended his season with a 24 point, 12 rebound performance while Tony Parker and 21-year-old Kawhi Leonard combined for an additional 29 points but their efforts weren't enough to earn a Game 7 road victory. The loss now means that a road team has not won an NBA Finals Game 7 since the Washington Bullets defeated the Seattle Supersonics in 1978.
To no surprise, league MVP and two-time NBA Champion LeBron James was named NBA Finals MVP for the second-straight year while claiming his second title in 4 total trips to the championship round.
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