By Telema Davies
It was a great rally from the San Antonio Spurs in game 3 as they defeated host, Miami Heat 111-92. It was an all Kawhi Leonard affair in the best-of-seven NBA championship series scoring a career-high 29 points in Miami. His brilliant performance guided the Spurs to take a 2-1 lead over the two-time defending champions thus creating a buzz.
For one thing in last night’s series, there was neither a breakdown in the cooling system nor a LeBron cramp. The Spurs showed grit, playing like they weren’t in ‘enemy’ territory as they had few misses in the entire game. Kawhi Leonard was at the centre of all things positive for the Spurs enforcing the dominance of his visiting team. That incredible dominance was evidenced by the NBA Finals record-making of 75.8 per cent of their shots in the first half from 19 of their first 21 shots.
Leonard made some impressive defence against LeBron James as he (Leonard) was at both ends of the court and not just securing his career best score. Leonard forced James to turn the ball a Finals record seven times in Game 3, bouncing back from a foul-troubled Game 2. By his personal standards, LeBron James had a pretty quiet game which in itself contributed to the dismal outing of the Miami Heat. Although, James and Wade ended the game with 22-points each, but it was as far as it was for the Heat.
Looking purposeful in their play, the Spurs shot 13 of 15 and took a 41-25 lead after the first quarter. From the start of the second quarter, they silenced Miami’s support as they went up by 55-30. It was in Miami that the Spurs were denied their fifth championship after the Heat rallied in overtime to win Game 7 last year. Records have it that the team to win Game 3 in the NBA Finals, go on to win the championship. Is this the turning point season for the Spurs to be guided by records?
Leonard was crucial to the Spurs victory. “I just found rhythm and my teammates found me the ball. I made shots,” Leonard said. That said, it was a game of head-to-head between Leonard and James all night. A night that Leonard will cherish even more should the Spurs go on to claim this year’s Finals. For James it was a disappointing night. “They jumped on us,” he said. “…they were more aggressive than us.”
Chris Bosh who should have been in the thick of all things for Miami, took a mere four shots scoring nine points. The Heat will be keen to overturn the Spurs’ lead when they come against each other in Game 4 on Thursday. Miami will once again play host to the biggest basketball tournament in the world to even the ground hosting at 2-2.
“We have to make some adjustments and learn from our mistakes,” James said. And he is right. They (Heat) must match the Spurs on all grounds, evenly.
Image source: bleacherreport.com