The San Antonio Spurs came close to the championship in Game 6 and they were so close that the NBA had started to bring out the trophy, but like the Texas Rangers, close isn't the championship and the Miami Heat showed why, as they were able to come back to force a Game 7.
The Heat pushed the series to 3-3 with the win after an amazing shot from Ray Allen and now the Spurs will have to fight history to get the championship with a win on the road. With LeBron James, the sport's best player and biggest star, at the peak of his powers alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat's 'Big Three' seemed a sure bet to win back-to-back championships. As defending champions, Miami were overwhelming favorites to win the title. They were almost unstoppable during the regular season, winning a franchise-record 66 games, including a 27-game stretch that is the second longest in NBA history.
One of the most turbulent championships in National Basketball Association (NBA) history will reach its climax on Thursday when the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs meet in the decisive seventh game of the Finals.
Basketball fans in the United States have been whipped into a frenzy of excitement by what has already been a classic series full of wild fluctuations and escalating drama.
The teams have raised their games to new heights, producing an extraordinary standard of play and athleticism which peaked with Miami's exhilarating overtime win on Tuesday that tied the series at 3-3.
With everything on the line for Game Seven, the stakes could not be higher with millions of people around the world expected to tune in for Thursday's grand finale. Every game, every quarter, every minute, every shot and every rebound has been fought over, with players leaping and diving on the hardwood for any possession.
"That's what this series is about, it's the competition," said Spoelstra. "It's not just statistics. It's not all the other storylines. It's about the competition against an equal opponent." The series was elevated to one of the all-time greats after Tuesday's breathless encounter, which has been described as one of the greatest games in NBA history after Miami pulled off a miracle comeback.
Needing a win the keep the series alive, Miami trailed by 13 points late in the third quarter and by five with 28 seconds to play in regulation after they had already fought back to take the lead.
Ray Allen, the sport's greatest three-point shooter, drained one from behind the arc with five seconds remaining to force overtime, where Miami went on to snatch a 103-100 victory.
James scored a game-high 32 points but no one is under more pressure than him in Game Seven. He is not only playing for a second championship but his place in history.
Despite being awarded the NBA's Most Valuable Player award four times, including this season, the 28-year-old continues to earn unflattering comparisons to Michael Jordan, who won five MVP awards and six championships with the Chicago Bulls.
James is appearing in just his fourth Finals. He lost his first with Cleveland then his second after moving to Miami three years ago.
He broke through for his first win last season but knows only too well he will bear the brunt of the blame should Miami fail to repeat.
"It is what it is. I understand the moment for me," said James.
"I'm going to be excited. I'm going to have some butterflies. I'll be nervous, everything. That's how I should be."
(Reuters Quotes)
