Start the chorus like the kids did to "No Music". No headband! No headband! Lebron James helped the Miami Heat defeat the San Antonio Spurs 103-100 in a Game 6 that was settled in overtime.
James finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. 16 of his points came in a huge fourth quarter that saw James lose his headband. It looked as though James had been slowed down by his headband throughout the game. James shot 7-11 from the floor, getting a huge block on Tim Duncan to help the Heat eventually take the lead in the fourth quarter.
Along with James, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen played huge roles late in the game. The Heat trailed by as many as 13 points, but as soon as James started playing better, other guys stepped up. Bosh blocked Danny Green's three to end the game, while Allen did exactly what everybody expected him to do: hit pivotal threes. Allen's three tied the game 95-95. Bosh grabbed the offensive rebound, found Allen wide open in the corner.
For the Spurs, it's a deflating loss. Duncan played a tremendous game filling up his stat sheet quickly. He started out 6-6 from the floor, scoring 12 points all in the first quarter. He scored 13 more in the second quarter to finish with 25 points at the half. Duncan only scored five points in the second half, none of which came in the fourth quarter and he finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds and a steal.
Tony Parker did his best to help lead the Spurs to victory. He hit a huge three over James with 1:27 left in the fourth quarter. Mario Chalmers turned it over and Parker took it to the hoop to drop a shot from the paint. He gave the Spurs a 91-89 lead and LeBron James proceeded to commit two turnovers. San Antonio lead by five points with 28.2 seconds left.
It could have been over had Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard hit their free throws. James hit a three and then Allen tied it.
This game was an example of perseverance, focus and teamwork. However, one of the headlines is James losing his headband. He wanted a foul call on Duncan, didn't receive it and began complaining. However, following this non-foul, James didn't bother putting on a headband and lit up the Spurs, leading his Heat to victory. Michael Wilbon, of ESPN, jokes around that James playing with no headband is the lasting impression of the 2013 NBA Finals' Game 6.
The Spurs will have to buckle down in Game 7, which will be played on Thursday. Many are already awarding the Heat with the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the Spurs might be physically and mentally fatigued after blowing Game 6. Some are even saying the Spurs choked in the closing minutes of this game. However, they will have a chance to win it in Game 7 as the Spurs still have Duncan, Parker and Green on their team.
Do you think James should wear his headband in Game 7?
