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Heat thump Spurs to level series
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2013, Saturday
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MIAMI'S LeBron James scored 33 points while making the impact expected of the four-time Most Valuable Player, leading the visiting Heat to a 109-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday that leveled the NBA Finals at two games each.
James also had 11 rebounds and four assists and got some help from his struggling All-Star teammates. Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, Chris Bosh had 20 points and 13 rebounds and the defending champions made sure the series will head back to South Beach.
James insisted he would be better after struggling in Game 3, saying he was the star and it was his job, along with Wade and Bosh, to lead.
"It was on our shoulders," James said. "We had to figure out how to win the game for us and play at the highest level. When all three of us are clicking we're very tough to beat."
The series returns to San Antonio on Sunday for Game 5, and the Spurs will be hoping Miami's three stars can be dimmed.
"When Bosh, Wade and James score the way they did tonight and shoot it the way they did tonight, a team is going to have a difficult time if you help them like we did," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
"When those guys are playing like that, you better be playing a perfect game."
The Spurs didn't, committing 19 turnovers that led to 23 points.
Just like they have for the last five months, the Heat bounced back from a loss with a victory? a lopsided one at that. They are 12-0 after defeats since January 10, outscoring opponents by nearly 20 points a game in those previous 11 victories.
"Right now it's a three-game series," Wade said. "Two great ballclubs, we just want to come out again and play well."
Tony Parker had 15 points and nine assists while playing through a sore right hamstring for the Spurs, who were trying to move one step closer to their fifth championship.
Ray Allen scored 14 points for the Heat. Miami had 50 points in the paint after managing 32 in a 36-point loss in Game 3.
Tim Duncan scored 20 points, and Kawhi Leonard added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs.
James was an abysmal 7 for 21 for 15 points in Game 3, and he promised to be better in Game 4. He delivered the only way he knows how, hitting 15 of 25 shots and putting the team on his shoulders to set the tone early.
Every time James snatched a Spurs miss off the glass he thundered up the court, attacking the back-pedaling defense for easy layups that often haven't been there for him this series.
James also had 11 rebounds and four assists and got some help from his struggling All-Star teammates. Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, Chris Bosh had 20 points and 13 rebounds and the defending champions made sure the series will head back to South Beach.
James insisted he would be better after struggling in Game 3, saying he was the star and it was his job, along with Wade and Bosh, to lead.
"It was on our shoulders," James said. "We had to figure out how to win the game for us and play at the highest level. When all three of us are clicking we're very tough to beat."
The series returns to San Antonio on Sunday for Game 5, and the Spurs will be hoping Miami's three stars can be dimmed.
"When Bosh, Wade and James score the way they did tonight and shoot it the way they did tonight, a team is going to have a difficult time if you help them like we did," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
"When those guys are playing like that, you better be playing a perfect game."
The Spurs didn't, committing 19 turnovers that led to 23 points.
Just like they have for the last five months, the Heat bounced back from a loss with a victory? a lopsided one at that. They are 12-0 after defeats since January 10, outscoring opponents by nearly 20 points a game in those previous 11 victories.
"Right now it's a three-game series," Wade said. "Two great ballclubs, we just want to come out again and play well."
Tony Parker had 15 points and nine assists while playing through a sore right hamstring for the Spurs, who were trying to move one step closer to their fifth championship.
Ray Allen scored 14 points for the Heat. Miami had 50 points in the paint after managing 32 in a 36-point loss in Game 3.
Tim Duncan scored 20 points, and Kawhi Leonard added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs.
James was an abysmal 7 for 21 for 15 points in Game 3, and he promised to be better in Game 4. He delivered the only way he knows how, hitting 15 of 25 shots and putting the team on his shoulders to set the tone early.
Every time James snatched a Spurs miss off the glass he thundered up the court, attacking the back-pedaling defense for easy layups that often haven't been there for him this series.
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