Is Game 3 a must win?

[easjer]

Yes.

And credit due to Miami, of course, but come on - leaving Neal in that long, leaving Manu in that long? Playing hot potato with the ball? Settling for jumpers? Timmy's stupid shot selection? That wasn't all Miami.

[Venti Quattro]

Is this even a question? Lol

[wildshoe]

i have a good feeling whoever wins game 3 wins the series, both of these teams biggest weaknesses i think is streaky shooting and mental toughness. too much momentum towards any one side will probably cause the other team to collapse.

[timvp]

The 2-3-2 format sucks right now for the Spurs. It's good if you come home 0-2 to give you a better chance of getting back into it.

But, damn, winning three straight against the Heat? That's a taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllll llllllll task

[Creation88]

Since 2-3-2 format began in 1985, the Game 3 winner of a tied NBA Finals series goes on to win the series 92.3% of time (12-1).

yes.

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Of course it is. Spurs, especially Parker and Manu, need to relax. They looked like panicked rookies tonight.

[ffadicted]

Have Miami won 3 games?

no? Then no it's not

[Solid D]

Not necessarily. In 2011, the Heat and Mavs split the first 2 in Miami, then Miami went up 2-1 in Dallas only to lose the next 3 to the Mavs. Adjustments get made and stuff happens. It's not a must win fir the Spurs but it would be great to get the confidence and momentum swinging back their way with a win.

[baseline bum]

The 2-3-2 format sucks right now for the Spurs. It's good if you come home 0-2 to give you a better chance of getting back into it.

But, damn, winning three straight against the Heat? That's a taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllll llllllll task

I never understood people who think the 2-3-2 is good for road teams; it's such an enormous advantage to the home team getting 6 and 7 at home. But I guess you deserve that edge by going balls out in the regular season.

[eds]

Is this even a question? Lol

[Duncan2177]

What's up with the quitters on this board? And you call yourselves spurs fans?

[baseline bum]

Not necessarily. In 2011, the Heat and Mavs split the first 2 in Miami, then Miami went up 2-1 in Dallas only to lose the next 3 to the Mavs. Adjustments get made and stuff happens. It's not a must win fir the Spurs but it would be great to get the confidence and momentum swinging back their way with a win.

If the Spurs were playing the 2011 Heat I might agree that Game 3 isn't a must win. Unfortunately they're not.

[ElNono]

I think that's pretty ridiculous to think they'd get 3/3 at home. To win this series the Spurs are going to have to take another one in Miami I think.

I think it's going to be difficult, but I don't see them winning again in Miami. So under that premise, they would need to win all 3 at home.

That was my series prediction anyways.

[Capt Bringdown]

But, damn, winning three straight against the Heat? That's a taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllll llllllll task

Winning 2 straight appears to be an impossibility against the heat. 3? fuggetabout it.

[therealtruth]

I think that's pretty ridiculous to think they'd get 3/3 at home. To win this series the Spurs are going to have to take another one in Miami I think.

I think it's possible but Pop's going to need to make the adjustments. He didn't need to make too many adjustments last series and kept the same gameplan. But I think this series will be like the Warriors. He will need to adjust to the Heat. We can't leave their shooters open. We have to take care of the ball. We have to find a way for Parker to be effective.

[therealtruth]

The Spurs were probably due for a loss anyway. But at the same time they've got some adjustments to make to give them the best chance at winning game 3.

[AFBlue]

Yep

[Juggity]

Game 3 is absolutely a must win. In fact, if the Spurs lose game 3, I can't see them even realistically taking the series to seven games.

They must come out with true urgency, but not recklessness.

[crc21209]

Context is everything. If Miami wins game 3 by a close margin, it's a wash.
But, considering it took a miracle shot for us to steal game 1 and we got completely dismantled in game 2, Miami should be seen to have the advantage in this series, even though we got the split.
I'm not optimistic at all.
Game 3 is the tell. Game 3 is the series.
-case closed

GTFO here. It didnt take a "miracle" shot for the Spurs to win Game 1. They won the game themselves in the 4th and would've been up 2 even if Tony missed that bank shot. They were up 1 with 3 mins to go in the 3rd qtr and then got hit by Miami's run. I wouldn't say Miami has "dominated" both games like you're saying because that is a completely false statment..

[Capt Bringdown]

I wouldn't say Miami has "dominated" both games like you're saying because that is a completely false statment..

Bully for you. I didn't say that either. Anything else you're confused about?

[BatManu20]

Yep. Spurs aren't winning 3 straight games against this team. If they lose Game 3, they're toast.

[InRareForm]

i hate the term must win

[TD 21]

Not necessarily. In 2011, the Heat and Mavs split the first 2 in Miami, then Miami went up 2-1 in Dallas only to lose the next 3 to the Mavs. Adjustments get made and stuff happens. It's not a must win fir the Spurs but it would be great to get the confidence and momentum swinging back their way with a win.

This isn't '11. The Heat are much better now than they were then and there's no chance of beating them three straight.

Game three is absolutely a must win.

[2centsworth]

Must win for both teams.

[crc21209]

Bully for you. I didn't say that either. Anything else you're confused about?

You sure did make it sound like it. You were basically saying Miami has dominated the series in both games so far and that it took a "miracle shot" for the Spurs to win 1 game...