San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat at 9pm ET on ABC | Series Tied 0-0 | Game 1
Tonight marks the beginning of the 2013 edition of the NBA Finals. The Miami Heat led by LeBron James have made it to the NBA’s grandest stage three consecutive times and are looking to repeat this year as champions. The problem that stands in their way is the most complete team in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs have only lost two games in the entire 2013 playoffs, as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker will be looking to win their 4th title as a collective unit winning another title together. Along with the greatest coach in the league currently Gregg Popovich, he will be looking to win his 5th ring with the greatest power-forward of all time in Tim Duncan. The Heat won the season series 2-0, but tonight will mark the first time this year both teams will see each other at full strength.
Hit the jump for more of the in-depth preview of the series.
Spurs 92 | Heat 88 | Spurs Lead Series 1-0
The biggest story of the series is how the Heat will plan to stop Tony Parker, who’s been arguably the MVP in the postseason averaging a career postseason high in both points at 23 and 7 assist. At some point in the game if (when) Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole lose their ground in containing Tony Parker, we’ll see the match-up everyone wants to see with LeBron James jumping up to guard the perimeter.
In comparison to the series Miami just barely escaped, the Spurs have an inside advantage with Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter dominating the paint. The major difference in comparison to the other series is that Miami only has to worry about one big man being aggressive in the paint with Duncan; but don’t sleep on Splitter’s physical play getting easy buckets. Backing them up off the bench will be Matt Bonner, DeJuan Blair, and Boris Diaw; as in comparison to the Pacers, Shane Battier’s role will be increased with the lack of inside presence once one of the Spurs starters hits the bench.
With Battier seeing his role reduced last month, we saw the emergence of Chris Anderson being one of Miami’s biggest components for their defense of Hibbert and West; and even providing an offensive boost in three of the seven games. Udonis Haslem also had big contributions last round, but Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade had a lackluster series. Bosh’s efficiency was limited due to the size and length of Pacers and being beat up in the post; while Wade’s knees and body were just not working.
We’re expecting Bosh to have a better series this round not dealing with the physicality seen in the previous round, but he’ll have to guard arguably the most fundamental player the league has ever seen. Back t the Spurs. The single most important player for the Spurs team outside of their big 3 will be Kawhi Leonard. Outside of his 25 pound differential with the King, he’ll be relied on having the biggest defensive role guarding James, and then be relied upon on the offensive side of things.
Like last round, the Pacers fatigue finally caught up to them guarding the Heat in game 7 which Miami turned up their notch to over 100 in offense and defense, something not seen from most teams in the NBA. The Spurs pose to best threat to beat Miami and vice versa in the league this year; as strategies and match-ups will play a key role throughout this series from game. You can take game 1 with a grain of salt tonight, because we’re expecting a 6 (maybe 7) game series with both teams giving their all every night.
LeBron will be looking to avenge his 2007 NBA Finals sweep to the Spurs, along with San Antonio looking to cement themselves as one of the greatest tandems in the history of sports with another title in the next two weeks.
Win or Go HOME!
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