Season 49, Game 52
San Antonio 119, Miami 101
44-8, 2nd in the West
After yet another sluggish 1st quarter, the Spurs got scrappy and did to the Heat what many teams have been doing to them as of late: outmuscled and out-hustled them.
Despite shooting a blistering 57%, the Heat lost control of the game midway through the 2nd quarter, and the Spurs seized control for good on an interesting sequence early in the 4th quarter that netted them 11 points in the span of about 30 seconds. Mills converted a 4-point play after being fouled on a 3-pointer. In the aftermath of the free throw, Hassan Whiteside threw an elbow at the head of Marjanovic, which resulted in a Flagrant-2. Boban made the free throw, the Spurs retained possession, and Kawhi hit a jumper. 7 points.
The next trip down, Green got fouled, made the 1st, missed the 2nd, stripped Bosh on the rebound, dribbled out to the corner and drained a 3. 4 more points.
That’s as unique a sequence as you’ll ever see in an NBA game. It was emblematic of the Spurs’ desire and strength in the game. They completely abused the Heat in the post, as Aldridge, Leonard, and even Diaw all had their way down there. LaMarcus and Kawhi finished a combined 21-33 (64%) for 51 points (1.55 pts/possession), and gave the Spurs a bright glimpse into the future. The Heat just had no answer for those two.
The Spurs were bullies in this game, in the best way possible. When they missed shots, they took advantage of offensive rebounds and second chance points (the way other teams have been doing to them). They had 11 offensive rebounds for 22 second chance points. (Better yet, they gave up only one offensive rebound to Miami.) They scored 58 points in the paint, taking a whopping 49 shots from there. They had 10 steals. They put up 19 more shots than the Heat, which helps explain how Miami could get blown out shooting just shy of 60%.
While the defense was still not spectacular, this was a great performance for the Duncan-less Spurs. There is hope, after all. And if the offense can keep chugging along (34 points in the 2nd, 31 in the 3rd, 34 in the 4th), there is definitely a little more margin for error.
Best of all: Duncan should be back soon enough.
This was a great beginning to the annual Rodeo Road Trip, which continues Wednesday night in Orlando. After that the team is off for a full 8 days for the All-Star Break, picking up in Los Angeles next Thursday. A sharp and focused Spurs team should be able to pick up the win against the vacation-looking Magic.
Go Spurs Go.
