The Miami Heat put a hurt on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA finals and now that the series is 1-1 heading to Texas, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are ready to step up and bounce back from the tough blowout to get the advantage back in the series.
The Heat won easily 103-84 in Game 2 after an amazing run through the second half and after 19 points from Mario Chalmers and a so-so game from James, the Spurs should be worried. Chalmers held back Parker and kept him in check all game and Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green were the leaders for the Spurs and when that happens, it's an issue. James and company will try and do the same on Tuesday night and the Spurs will battle hard to get the series back in their favor.
It was a total team effort from Miami, and they needed it with LeBron James (17 points) not at his explosive best. Four other Heat players stepped up to reach double figures - Mario Chalmers top scoring with 19. After a first half that mirrored the tight nature of Game One, with San Antonio's Danny Green scoring four of four three-pointers, Miami broke away in the third and headed into the final quarter with a 75-65 lead.
San Antonio's 'Big Three' of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan combined were just 10 for 33, with Duncan's 3-13 shooting his worst in an NBA Finals game. The Heat rebounded from their NBA Finals opening game loss in emphatic style on Sunday, crushing the San Antonio Spurs 103-84 in Game Two to square the best-of-seven series. After a first half that mirrored the tight nature of Game One, with San Antonio's Danny Green scoring four of four three-pointers, Miami broke away in the third and headed into the final quarter with a 75-65 lead.
Ray Allen and Mike Miller each chipped in a trio of three pointers for the Heat while Chris Andersen went three of three shooting for nine points. Miami's devastating 33-5 run put the game well beyond San Antonio, whose coach Gregg Popovich opted to play the final portion of the fourth quarter with reserves on the court. After committing only four turnovers in Game One, the Spurs gave up 16 on Sunday. Parker, who was without a single turnover on Thursday, conceded five.
Spurs head coach Popovich said there was no question of fatigue and no excuses for his team's performance. "Miami did a hell of a job. Nobody is tired, we had two days off, there's no excuse. The season does get long for both teams but they would both rather be here than at home.
"So it's not about tired. It's about Miami played their ass off," he added.
Game Three is on Tuesday in San Antonio, the first of three games in Texas before the series returns - if needed - to Miami for the final two games.