Random Thoughts Amid the Sadness After Game 4 of the 2013 NBA Finals

[baseline bum]

rofl
our chances are barely above 10% now, if we lose game 5, this thing is at 3% at best

I feel like giving the home team a 70-30 edge in a game is reasonable when the teams are pretty evenly matched. Just a back of the envelope calculation on the odds though. 70-30 number pulled directly out of ass, so don't take my prediction too seriously.

[DMC]

I read the OP but none of the responses.

The Miami series will be back and forth just like the Pacers/Heat series was. Only this time the Spurs got the first punch whereas in the previous series Vogel the bed and left his big on the bench while James trotted to the rim twice to seal the steal even though George was ballin'. Pacers should have gone back to Indy up 2-0.

Spurs didn't make that same mistake. They took game 1 in Miami and haven't lost a close one. If the Spurs rebound next game (no pun intended) they will put pressure on Miami to win two closeout games. Miami can do it, but celebrating another ring on Lebron's home floor would be the icing on the cake and Lebron has to know that so that's at least some added pressure. After that it depends largely on Miami. The Spurs do what they do, but Miami comes and goes with the tide so we'll see how the tide moves on Sunday.

[Budkin]

I don't really like the Spurs chances in any given game in Miami, which is why Game 5 is such a must-win. The Spurs are really going to need two shots to get a win in Miami. If they win Game 5 I feel like the Spurs will have a 50/50 shot at the series. But lose Game 5 and it's 10% maybe.

Lose game 5 and it's 0% tbh

[ace3g]

Who starts game 5: Splitter or Diaw?

[baseline bum]

Lose game 5 and it's 0% tbh

I think that's overly pessimistic. The Spurs have shown they can play with Miami on their homecourt. I mean the odds would be really long to win two in a row there, but calling it 0% is ridiculous.

[Keepin' it real]

-Damn depressing loss.

I'm not at all depressed with this loss, or any part of this series. In all honesty, 2 of the Spurs' 3 best players are way past their prime, yet here they stand just 2 games from winning a championship.

This is an improbable run, and I'm soaking this series up because I know it won't happen again for the Spurs with this roster.

Miami is better, and better teams almost always win seven-game series. But I'm still holding out hope that the Spurs can pull off a rare NBA Finals upset.

[BatManu20]

Sports Center said miami has a 65.6% chance of winning the series now. As opposed to the 21.4% chance they would've had had the Spurs won the game.

[BatManu20]

I'm not at all depressed with this loss, or any part of this series. In all honesty, 2 of the Spurs' 3 best players are way past their prime, yet here they stand just 2 games from winning a championship.

This is an improbable run, and I'm soaking this series up because I know it won't happen again for the Spurs with this roster.

Miami is better, and better teams almost always win seven-game series. But I'm still holding out hope that the Spurs can pull off a rare NBA Finals upset.

Great analysis tbh

[Xevious]

I don't like labeling games "must win", especially in the finals. But the Spurs pretty much have to win the next two games now. Game 7 in Miami will be near impossible to win.

Hats off to Miami though. Wade and James did what they needed to do. Now with two days rest, hopefully SA can bring it on Sunday.

[Xevious]

I'm not at all depressed with this loss, or any part of this series. In all honesty, 2 of the Spurs' 3 best players are way past their prime, yet here they stand just 2 games from winning a championship.

This is an improbable run, and I'm soaking this series up because I know it won't happen again for the Spurs with this roster.

Miami is better, and better teams almost always win seven-game series. But I'm still holding out hope that the Spurs can pull off a rare NBA Finals upset.

This. I'm proud of these guys win or lose. Nobody thought they'd be here when the season started.

[Rapper]

Can we have a bounce back in Game 5? Otherwise the series is really over Damn it we have had a good run I want to finish this season with a smile I just want to give Timmy one more ring...Damn it

[dallasmaverickslose]

Who starts game 5: Splitter or Diaw?

Bonner

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

As much as it hurts to lose game four when we looked so incredible in game three, we've been here before. 2-2 going into a must win game five reminds me of 2005 and the Horry game... let's hope we get a spectacular again with the same result!

I think the things that killed us today were the 18 turnovers (you will rarely beat the Heat with more than 12) forced by the improved Heat defence, and of course Bosch, Wade and LBJ really stepped up on offence.

This has been a schizophrenic series, so all we can do is wait and see which version of each team turns up in two days. This is tough and harrowing Finals basketball just as I expected it to be.

POUND THE ROCK.

[RD2191]

I think that's overly pessimistic. The Spurs have shown they can play with Miami on their homecourt. I mean the odds would be really long to win two in a row there, but calling it 0% is ridiculous.

Not true at all. Miami was coming off of a long series with the Pacers and were pretty damn tired. It took a lucky shot by Parker to get the win. I seriously doubt Spurs win another game in Miami.

[crc21209]

As much as it hurts to lose game four when we looked so incredible in game three, we've been here before. 2-2 going into a must win game five reminds me of 2005 and the Horry game... let's hope we get a spectacular again with the same result!

I think the things that killed us today were the 18 turnovers (you will rarely beat the Heat with more than 12) forced by the improved Heat defence, and of course Bosch, Wade and LBJ really stepped up on offence.

This has been a schizophrenic series, so all we can do is wait and see which version of each team turns up in two days. This is tough and harrowing Finals basketball just as I expected it to be.

POUND THE ROCK.

+1. At the end of the day I think this series comes down to turnovers. The Spurs won Game 1 with only 4 turnovers and won Game 3 with 12 turnovers (Although it was probably only 8 or 9 before the game turned into a blowout). The Spurs lost Game 2 with 17 turnovers and Game 4 with 19 turnovers. That is just way to many to win a game against the Heat. ALOT of the points the Heat scored were off of Spurs turnovers. The Spurs need to force the Heat to score against them in the halfcourt and not in transition.

[dallasmaverickslose]

+1. At the end of the day I think this series comes down to turnovers. The Spurs won Game 1 with only 4 turnovers and won Game 3 with 12 turnovers (Although it was probably only 8 or 9 before the game turned into a blowout). The Spurs lost Game 2 with 17 turnovers and Game 4 with 19 turnovers. That is just way to many to win a game against the Heat. ALOT of the points the Heat scored were off of Spurs turnovers. The Spurs need to force the Heat to score against them in the halfcourt and not in transition.

I agree, if the Spurs limit themselves to around 10 turnovers, games will at the very least go down to the wire. Turnovers really killed us tonight and thats how the heat got a lot of easy buckets.

[Russo21]

We've got all the %s on our side. Win first game 77% winners. Finals tied 1-1 win game 3 92% winners. I know that doesn't guarantee anything but we're still in a great position to win the le as long as we take care of the ball.

Nice

[FkLA]

-It fvcking sucks that injury had to get in the way yet again. Parker was damn great early but it was obvious he ran out of gas – and it’s safe to say that the energy he put in to play with the injury took its toll. He didn’t have much explosion at all in the second half.

lol'd

[DJ Mbenga]

Pop panicked early. He subbed Neal for splitter at the first dead ball out of fear for miller. Our rotations and fives were off the rest of first half.

If he wanted to contribute Poo should have gotten a T when heat were getting away with everything in first half.

Manu is sicking. Glad the team called him out but holy crap he needs to step up.

wasnt necessary. was a close game at half time, then spurs got a ton i mean a ton of calls in 3rd to keep it close.

[Mal]

I think that refs, who allowed Miami playing really aggressive dictated pace of the game. And that pace was Miami`s Heat pace. Plus Wade got hot handed on his mid range jumpers, and all fall apart, especially when Parker wasnt 100% in 2nd half.

I mean, refs by allowing it, kinda killed Spurs` ball movement. I didnt watch Miami`s games at all, and I really dont know if they are allowed to play such intense and aggressive defense all the times.

[elmanutres]

very fortunate we get an extra day of rest though. hopefully parkers hamstring will be better by then.

[T Park]

The refereeing wasnt good. But it wasnt bad either. Again, best reffed Kennedy and Foster game I've seen maybe ever.

[polandprzem]

This game may just decide the series!

As I posted b4 the Finals - The spurs must to hit Heat quick and leave. Now when series is ties with only one game at ATT the spurs chances are very low. Take to a consideration the fact of TPs injury and Manus ty play against that kind of defense.

Also James and Wade will continue to go full speed. We did a bad job stopping the ball from the get go.

Also TP was in his scoring mode when he had some opportunities to kick it out ...


All in all I've got a ed up day. I went to sleep after the game and frickin nightmares spurs losing and stuff ...

[polandprzem]

The refereeing wasnt good. But it wasnt bad either. Again, best reffed Kennedy and Foster game I've seen maybe ever.

here is the guy that said Miami stand not a chance after game 3.

[ManuTastic]

Originally the game plan was swarm LeBron and take your chances on open looks from Wade and Bosh. Well, Wade woke up (monster on both ends). Now what? Is it time to stay home on everyone else and let Bron get his? Seems suicidal but might squeeze out a couple wins with that. Might...