Spurs Second in the West, Host Miami in NBA Finals Rematch
In a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals and a possible prelude to this year’s finals, the San Antonio Spurs host the Miami Heat. Both teams are in second place in their respective conferences in the race from playoff spots.
LeBron James scored a career high 61 points against Charlotte on Monday, but ran out of gas against the Houston Rockets in the second half as the Heat lost 106-103. The loss by Miami snapped its winning streak at eight games.
James, the four time winner of the MVP, who said prior to the game he was very tired from Monday’s scoring barrage had just three points in the second half. Over the last two quarters of the game, James hit just 1 of his 7 shots and spent the first half of the final quarter sitting on the Heat bench.
Despite James struggling, the Heat were able to cut into the Houston lead and reduce it to just three on a 3-pointer by Michael Beasley with only 21 second to play. However, a desperation jumper at the buzzer was missed by James in an attempt to tie the score.
Dwayne Wade was pleased how the team fought back and tied the scored twice during the final quarter. He and Beasley led the Heat with 24 points apiece.
In the first meeting between San Antonio and Miami on January 26, the Heat did not have to worry about rallying. Miami led by as much as 29 points and coasted to a 113-101 win in Miami.
The Heat did not need a big game from their superstar James against San Antonio. The forward scored 18 points, but five of his teammates scored in double figures, led by power forward Chris Bosh who scored 24. Miami hit 43 of its 74 shots in the game.
In the game, San Antonio hit 50% from the floor but could not hit anything from 3-point range hitting just 6 of 22. Tim Duncan scored 23 points, while point guard Tony Parker managed just 11 points while handing out 7 assists.
Danny Green, Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard did not play in the first game against Miami, but the three will play in this matchup.
Leonard and Green led the Spurs on Tuesday in their 122-101 win at Cleveland. Green hit for 24 points and Leonard had 18.
The win was San Antonio’s fourth straight. San Antonio now leads the Southwest by 2 ½ games over the Houston Rockets and 9 over third place Dallas.
The Spurs had six players score double figures, but Parker and Duncan were not amongst the six as they combined for just 14 points.
Manu Ginobili who has been hampered again this season with nagging injuries came off the bench for 11 points.
The Spurs have lost five straight regular season games against Miami.
The Spurs are favored by 2.5 points.
Pick: San Antonio less the points in a high scoring game with both teams passing the century mark.
