The San Antonio Spurs dominated the Miami heat in Game 5 at the AT&T center. The final score 104-87. The victory marks the fifth title in Spurs franchise history.
In the start of the game, it looked like Miami was going to extend the series. Lebron James was a beast in the court, scoring 17 of Miami's 29 points, as he led his team to an 8-0 run early in the first quarter. Even with his team down by 3-1, Lebron made it clear that the series wasn't over and that they still had a shot to make history--no NBA team has ever won a finals series after being down 3-1.
With poor shooting and a relentless Miami defense, the Spurs were down by as much as 16 halfway through the first quarter. But the spurs went rallying back. Ginobli shot a three with 4:27 seconds after drawing a charge from Shane Batier cutting the lead to just 10. A three by Leonard (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Mills (17 points off the bench), reduced the lead to 7 with the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, San Antonio continued their fierce rally with a series of low-post moves from Duncan, slicing Miami's lead to only three points with 6 minutes left in the quarter. An amazing dunk by Manu Ginoblie in less than 3 minutes of the quarter electrified the crowd as the Spurs took the lead 42-35.
San Antonio's defense picked up in the third quarter highlighted by a Leonard steal from Allen with chants of MVP echoing from the Arena as Miami went scoreless after 4 minutes of play. Splitter blocked Wade on his way to the basket while Patty Mills continued his barrage from beyond the arc forcing Spolstra to take a time out halfway into the quarter as the spurs lead ballooned to 21.
It was an incredible third quarter for the Spurs and they were one quarter away from another NBA title. In the fourth quarter the Spurs kept the lead alive as they went trading baskets with Miami. 6 1/2 remaining in the fourth, Spurs fans were already on their feet sensing that victory was already at hand. Lebron had a face of fear and defeat as he sat on the bench with his team on the brink of elimination. Parker ensured victory with a series of drives and floaters.
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