One game is now all that separates the San Antonio Spurs from winning a championship and the Miami Heat from a brutal off season. Don’t get too excited just yet, in all likelihood, Miami is going to win game six, forcing a crucial game seven at the American Airlines Arena in South Beach. That being said, they are staring off the proverbial elimination cliff, don’t jump Chris Andersen, Birdman is just a nickname! These Finals have now featured five games that have all been polar opposites of one another, there is little to no carry over from the prior clash in every game. Of the numerous game-to-game changes, game five saw perhaps the most major. We finally had a Manu Ginobili sighting.
Not only was Manu seen, but his presence, much unlike the fouls that typically send Shane Battier to the floor, was felt. Ginobili scored 24 points, grabbed 2 rebounds and dished out 10 assists while playing point guard for long stretches at a time. Manu’s performance was the difference maker the Spurs needed. Miami had adjusted to not concerning themselves with the often high level Playoff performer, in game five it cost them. If Manu starts and plays big minutes all while continuing this production, the Spurs are about to win it all. Moving Tiago Splitter out of the starting lineup was a stroke of brilliance by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Splitter has been dreadful in the Finals. Then we have the other Spur who must have od’d on sleeping pills before the Finals, because Danny Green is unconscious.
If Danny Green is going to continue shooting threes at his current clip, another reason why the Spurs are going to win their fourth championship has just presented itself. Green grabbed 6 rebounds and scored 24 points all while continuing his blistering three point shooting, going 6-10 from behind the arc. The fact that Green set the Finals record for three’s made in a series in just five games is a testament to just how hot his shooting hand is right now. If Danny Green offers you a handshake, high five, pound, let this be your warning, he will turn your hand in to a mound of melted flesh and bone.
Duncan was solid with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and he continues to prove that there is no member of the Miami Heat that can come close to defending him in the post. I’m looking at you Chris Flop, get up and take your in-the-paint beating like a grown dinosaur. Tony Parker seemed to be feeling little pain from his pulled hamstring as he scored 26 points and dished 5 assists. Parker rediscovered his love of penetrating the lane, using his superlative dribbling prowess to carve up the Heat defense, creating layup chances and wide open jumpers by way of the kick out. Parker had no rival at point guard last night, Miami possesses no viable option at point guard when Parker is on the court and playing his game.
The Spurs also have one player that has been consistently solid in all aspects of the game, he has played excellent defense, rebounded and scored in every game he has played. Kawhi Leonard continues to impress. It would be premature to say that he has figured out how to defend Lebron James, but he’s pretty close. Leonard has simply played mistake free basketball, he isn’t going to break down on defense, if the ball is within his range, the rebound is his and he does not force his offense. Demonstrative though he may not be, Kawhi Leonard is a major reason why the Spurs are where they are.
San Antonio’s starting five did it all Sunday night, every one of them scored in double figures, executed their individual games, but also excelled together as a cohesive unit. Add in Boris Diaw’s step up defense and the Spurs played perfect team basketball in game five. Good things happen when you play as a team.
Conversely the Miami Heat played as individual pieces, never flowing all at the same time. Lebron had 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, awesome stats for any other player in the league. If Miami is to win, Lebron must score in the mid thirties, the stakes are up and the defenses are tightening, this championship all falls on the shoulders of mister James. Far too often Lebron has waited to get into his attacking rhythm, requiring a punch before he punches back. Miami is a front running team, they clearly are the best one there is, but they are one none the less. When faced with adversity the Heat appear to require a brief period of time to soak in what is happening to them before they respond. Lebron should be excluded from this adjustment period, there is no player in the league that can prevent him from attacking the basket. San Antonio has played as perfect defense on him as is possible, but it is still up to him to force the issue and do what only he is capable of. If Lebron does not come out in attack mode for game six, the Heat could be playing their last game Tuesday night.
Dwayne Wade did the impossible, he played two great back to back games. Wade had 25 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists, this is good production from Wade. Wade continues to be a nuisance to the Spurs in the paint utilizing his ability to get to the rim and finish in traffic. Dwyane Wade is doing his job to extend the Heat’s Playoff lives. Chris Bosh had 16 points, but just 6 rebounds, not nearly enough for a seven footer who is essentially Miami’s center. Since Bosh is now little more than a perimeter shooter it will obviously be difficult for him to crash the boards when he’s hanging out 20 feet from the basket. Keep shooting your shot Chris, but feel free to switch it up once in a while and actually play like a giant human being, it is what you are after all.
Ray Allen was Miami’s only real bench contributor, putting up 21 points while shooting 3-3 from behind the three point line. Were it not for Allen’s scoring, particularly in the fourth quarter, Miami never would have made their late run and we’d be discussing another huge blowout victory for the Spurs. The Boston betrayer made his presence felt, but will he be able to do it in back to back games? Probably not. The Spurs play perfect team basketball, while the Heat rely too frequently on the actions of individuals.
Miami is not as deep as San Antonio. Not that profound of a declaration. However, this is what’s giving Lebron and the other guys such fits. From game to game, at no point in time, can any member of the Miami Heat be counted on to consistently proved support to Lebron. Miami’s biggest problem is that Gregg Popovich knows this. Popovich knows that he has the better all around team, he shows this with his confidence to allow his bench to play while his stars rest, never fearing the inability to get back into any game. Where is Chris Andersen, where was Mario Chalmers, where were Shane Battier and Mike Miller? Why are any of these players being asked to realistically, consistently contribute to an NBA Finals? Not since his Cleveland days has Lebron’s teams destiny been tied so firmly to his personal performance. The ball is in your court Lebron, play the best you can, or watch the Spurs celebrate on your home court.
