LeBron scores 35, leads Heat to Game 2 win

Naveen Ganglani

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LeBron scores 35, leads Heat to Game 2 win

EPA

LeBron took matters into his own hands in the third quarter and then got help late in the game as the Heat even the series vs Spurs at 1-1

Manila, Philippines – The Miami Heat leaned on the brilliance of LeBon James for most of the game, and prevailed thanks to clutch shots from Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade late in the fourth quarter to get by the San Antonio Spurs, 98-96, and tie the 2014 NBA Finals at 1-1 on Sunday evening (Monday morning Philippine time) at the AT&T Center.

James made up for his early exit in Game 1 by producing 35 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2, while Bosh and Wade combined for 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The Spurs, meanwhile, surrendered an early lead but got 18 points and 15 rebounds from Tim Duncan and 21 points and 7 assists from Tony Parker.

Manu Ginobili, who had a costly turnover late in the game, spearheaded San Antonio’s bench assault with 19 markers and 4 assists.

The third quarter’s early minutes were a seesaw affair, as both clubs had an answer for each time the other would seem to get away.

After the officials missed a call on Kawhi Leonard’s drive, Miami answered on the other end by leaning on a Ray Allen banker to get within one, 57-56. On the next play, Miami played good defense for the first 22 seconds, but left Leonard wide open after. The result was a San Antonio 4-point lead.

Moments later, another offensive rebound for the Spurs – they totaled 11 for the game – rewarded Duncan a trip to the free throw line where he converted two to put his side up 6. After which, an 8-0 run by James in 50 seconds helped the lead change hands once again.

San Antonio responded well again, going to Boris Diaw for a post score to tie the contest. However, James pulled up for jumpers and converted them right after to keep Miami on top.

Miami was up five, 71-66, but the Spurs pulled off another rally, which was started by Patty Mills, who made two straight 3-balls. Entering the fourth, the Western Conference champions had a slim advantage, 78-77.

With James resting on the bench to start the fourth, both clubs exchanged baskets again until a Rashard Lewis 3-ball broke the ice to put the Heat up three, 83-80.

LeBron returned, but his presence led to a lot of standing around and iso-ball. With Miami starting to miss, San Antonio took advantage and regained momentum and the lead.

With three minutes to go, a Birdman reverse lay-up was erased by a Parker 3-ball, putting the Spurs up one, 93-92. The next play, Bosh missed a corner three, giving the Spurs the ball again, which ended in a Parker turnover.

With 1:30 to go, LeBron drove against the teeth of San Antonio’s defense and found an open Bosh again, who this time hit the corner three. Ginobili then turned the ball over, leading a ½ visit to the line by James. San Antonio, though, wasn’t able to respond and Wade put the finishing touches moments later.

San Antonio received 37 points from its bench, while Miami produced only 12 – coming from only two players. The Spurs also had more assists, 26-16, but was outrebounded by one, 38-37.

Diaw, a national team player for France, recorded seven markers, 10 boards, and 5 assists in another effective night off the bench for San Antonio, which went 12-of-26 from the bench. However, their team struggled to get much from Danny Green and Leonard, who went a combined 6-of-15 from the field.

Miami got another productive night from former Seattle Supersonics players Allen and Lewis, both of whom put up a total of 23 markers and four threes.

Game 3 is on Tuesday (Wednesday morning in the Philippines).

The Spurs raced off to an early start, relying on the genius of Duncan to erect a 7-point advantage at the conclusion of the first quarter, 26-19.

San Antonio’s onslaught continued as they built an 11-point advantage at one point. However, the Heat wouldn’t give in, and started going to LeBron in the post on almost every possession to get some offense against the Spurs’ perimeter blitzing.

James, whose 11 first half markers all came in the second quarter, also aided in evening the rebounding battle by pulling down seven in the game’s first 24 minutes.

Ginobili, who had 8 points by the second quarter, simulataneously had to sit outdue to foul trouble.

After Miami took a 34-33 lead, Parker spearheaded an 8-2 run which got the crowd back into the game and helped the Spurs regain momentum. But on the next play, an athletic display from Bosh led to a dunk plus the foul.

Another Parker bucket kept SAS on top, though Miami responded by going to their two leading scorers who put up consecutive buckets. In the final minute of the first half, both clubs missed a number of shots, leading to a 43-43 stalemate entering intermission.

Game Notes: Miami is now 6-0 in Games 2s of series where they lost Game 1; James, who dealt with cramps in the prior match, wore no kneepads today; Duncan recorded his 157th career playoff double-double today, tying Magic Johnson’s record.

Scores:

Miami (98) – James 35, Bosh 18, Wade 14, Lewis 14, Allen 9, Chalmers 5, Andersen 3, Haslem 0, Cole 0, Jones 0

San Antonio (96) – Parker 21, Ginobili 19, Duncan 18, Leonard 9, Green 9, Mills 8, Diaw 7, Belinelli 3, Splitter 2, Bonner 0

Quarter Scoring: 19-26, 43-43, 77-78, 98-96

– Rappler.com


Game 1: Duncan leads Spurs to game 1 win over Heat

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