The San Antonio Spurs have spent a year thinking about that Ray Allen 3-point shot. The basket forced a Game 7 which eventually led to a Miami Heat championship win. Fast forward a year later and the two teams are back in the NBA Finals once again. The Heat are looking to win third straight championship while proving the second was not a fluke. The Spurs are looking to win a title before at least one of the most storied players heads for retirement.
Tim Duncan told media on Wednesday that he has not forgotten about that shot and how the Spurs lost. Last year, every game in the series was a highlight reel with one or two shots that dictated the win or loss. Duncan thinks about the Tony Parker shot in Game 1 or the LeBron James jump shot in Game 7. He does not want this series to happen like that again. He believes this year things work in favor of the Spurs. Getting home court advantage was the first step.
Statistically speaking, the Spurs were the better team last year. They outscored the Heat 684-679. The series was tied 47 times during the seven games while there were 42 lead changes. The Spurs are looking for things to simply lean in their favor this time around. They want to be the team that hits the 3-point shot or the clutch jumper. Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili are looking to win their fourth title together before certain players call it quits.
For the Heat, they are looking to make a statement with three straight titles, joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls to win three straight titles. James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh can all opt out of their contracts and head to free agency. A championship will likely dictate much of their futures in Miami. Many have said last year's win was lucky. The few shots that took the member's bounce in and the non traveling call that led to the crucial Game 7. James does not want that to be the case this year.
The NBA has not had a Finals rematch since 1998. The Bulls beat the Utah Jazz for a second straight season. The Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs are the next in line. Can the Heat follow history and win a second championship over the Spurs or will the original Big 3 go out on top again?