Twistity Sports Exclusive: The Heat Fail to Sizzle

 
The first game of the NBA Finals was marred by the absence of air conditioning. The last two will be remembered for the way the Spurs turned off the Heat.

Forget a three-peat by Miami. After Thursday night’s 107-86 obliteration of the Heat by the Spurs, it’s safe to say it’s unlikely there will even be a Game 6. A year ago, it was a pivotal Game 6 and the squandering of a five-point lead in 28 seconds that cost the Spurs a title against the Heat. It’s unlikely the Spurs will make the same mistake of letting a wounded opponent escape, especially with a 3-1 series lead and Sunday’s game at home.

Most remarkable here is how the fundamentally sound Spurs expose the Heat. The Heat spent very little time this season pursuing offensive rebounds and second shots. Now it’s killing them. None of the Heat starters had an offensive rebound on Thursday night and the entire team again got crushed on the boards. The Spurs got 44 rebounds, the Heat 27. That’ll clean your glass.

It has also become clear that Miami’s vaunted Big Three have become the vaulted Big Three. The Spurs have simply leaped over them. LeBron James did not get going until the second half and by then it was too late. Chris Bosh is 6’11 and inside him is a much smaller person trying to get out. Dwyane Wade has the knees of a 60-year-old man (and that man wants them back).

The Spurs are sharp and savvy and their execution is flawless. They’ve flung some ridiculous shots at the basket and had them go in and they’ve had great open looks when Miami fails to defend the perimeter. They stick to the Heat on defense and they move the ball with great dexterity. They’ll be worthy champions. Again.

The Heat have made it to four consecutive NBA Finals. They’ll conclude that run with losses sandwiching two consecutive titles and who knows what changes will be made to their roster. Right now, though, in this series with the Spurs, Miami has been more humidity than Heat.
 
 

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman