Danny Green and Gary Neal delivered career-best performances to lift the San Antonio Spurs to a 113-77 blowout win over the Miami Heat and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
The pair, each playing in their first NBA Finals, combined for 51 points for the Spurs, who are in the Finals for the first time since winning their fourth NBA title in 2007.
Green had a game-high 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including seven three pointers, while Neal came off the bench to score 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including six from beyond the arc.
The Spurs defense limited four-time league most valuable player LeBron James to 15 points on 7-of-21 shooting while his team mates were also unable to find their rhythm.
"We got what we deserved," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Every shot they wanted to get they got. We did not disrupt them. And then that's the flow. And it just went from there. We never got to our game."
San Antonio led by 11 in the first quarter but allowed Miami to get within six points by half-time.
But the Spurs, playing in front of a delirious home crowd, pulled away in the final two quarters with an array of shots that Miami were unable to answer.
James came alive late in the third quarter to pull Miami within 15 points but the Spurs refused to let them get any closer as Green, Neal and Kawhi Leonard lead San Antonio on a 13-0 run to open the fourth quarter.
Game Four is scheduled for Thursday in San Antonio.
The pair, each playing in their first NBA Finals, combined for 51 points for the Spurs, who are in the Finals for the first time since winning their fourth NBA title in 2007.
Green had a game-high 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including seven three pointers, while Neal came off the bench to score 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including six from beyond the arc.
The Spurs defense limited four-time league most valuable player LeBron James to 15 points on 7-of-21 shooting while his team mates were also unable to find their rhythm.
"We got what we deserved," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Every shot they wanted to get they got. We did not disrupt them. And then that's the flow. And it just went from there. We never got to our game."
San Antonio led by 11 in the first quarter but allowed Miami to get within six points by half-time.
But the Spurs, playing in front of a delirious home crowd, pulled away in the final two quarters with an array of shots that Miami were unable to answer.
James came alive late in the third quarter to pull Miami within 15 points but the Spurs refused to let them get any closer as Green, Neal and Kawhi Leonard lead San Antonio on a 13-0 run to open the fourth quarter.
Game Four is scheduled for Thursday in San Antonio.
It was the turn of the rookies to shine
ReplyDeleteREESPECT to the courageous young Lads.. they refused to be fazed
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