2014 NBA Finals, Game 3 - San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat

[DarrinS]

Game 2 was a must win for the Spurs. They spoiled a shot at being up 2 games by allowing the Heat to stick around.

Meh, game 2 wasn't a must win. I do agree that they missed an opportunity to go up 2-0.

[DarrinS]

The more I think about the idea to simply take Kawhi off Lebron the more I like it...

Seriously why not...

Green on Lebron as the primary defender - when he finally gets comfortable in the low post we switch Diaw on him, basically it's make him adapt his offense mid game whereas he can do the same thing to both Kawhi and Boris...

Kawhi on Wade to start the game - shut down their second option and it gives the Spurs more freedom to use him as a small ball 4, something they're reluctant to do due to the current defensive assignments...

Boris on Bosh to start the game - Bosh has completely torched Splitter so far, can't be worse.

Tim Tiago
Boris Kawhi
Kawhi Green
Green Manu
TP Mills

8 men rotation... No defensive liability (Mills can at least get some steals here and there)... Defensive assignments that give us a change to at least take Bosh and Wade out of the series and to hamper their ball movement with Kawhi playing the passing lanes more... Even if they're not comfortable with Green as the primary Lebron defender he can at least be the secondary defender allowing Boris to start.

I like this idea

[mclinejr]

Alright, I know I'm going to get made fun of for asking, but I'm confused. I thought the locations for the finals were already set, and cannot be changed by the outcome of the games. Am I wrong?

[ace3g]

Why doesn't Pop play Mills more minutes?? He is fast and pesty! What was Bonner doing in there???

I thought after Parker got elbowed in the ribs, that Patty should have finished the game, his 3pt shot was working and he was drawing fouls.

[RD2191]

Spurs gonna get homecourt back tbh.

Alright, I know I'm going to get made fun of for asking, but I'm confused. I thought the locations for the finals were already set, and cannot be changed by the outcome of the games. Am I wrong?

what?

[Capster]

Spurs gonna get homecourt back tbh.

Alright, I know I'm going to get made fun of for asking, but I'm confused. I thought the locations for the finals were already set, and cannot be changed by the outcome of the games. Am I wrong?

What you talkin about Willis???? Locations are set ....2 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 1. You get it now???

[TE]

Imagine if this was still a 2-3-2 format. Horrifying thought of three straight games in Miami.

[Aztecfan03]

Took Overtime and a clutch Manu shot to do it.

Just like there was no way Spurs were going to win OKC series?

[SpurPadre]

I tried avoiding sports media all day but someone around me played ESPN radio few minutes ago and right away, it was nothing but "Spurs are done" narrative and comparing the first two games to the first two games of the Heat-Pacers series and how Indiana choked away Game 2 like we choked last night's game. They had on a few known NBA analysts and they all said it's pretty much a lock that the Heat will win the le now and that they would win in 5 or 6. Normally, I'd be annoyed but the Spurs tend to play better against the very best when we become the perceived underdogs. I feel good about our chances to at least get 1 on these next two. I also expect that they got their choking out of their systems and play their best ball from here on out.

[dg7md]

Ideally we win 3 and likely lose 4, then go back to win 5 and have a chance to close out with our turn of a 6. moment wherein we pull out the victory. Game 5 is guaranteed for us now, and is always the most crucial before 7.

[hooperflash]

Just win ... Road trip victories!

[Fireball]

If we do not shorten the rotation more, try Joseph instead of Bellinelli ... Cory showed some good offensive flashes so far and his defense is way better

We have to win this game, so GO SPURS GO

[heyheymymy]

GO SPURS GO!!

[SpurAddict561]

We won in Miami last year, we just need ONE.

LET'S GOOOOO

[FromWayDowntown]

Monty McCutchen
Tony Brothers
Zach Zarba
Alt: Bill Kennedy

[DBMethos]

Yikes.

[hsxvvd]

Monty McCutchen
Tony Brothers
Zach Zarba
Alt: Bill Kennedy

Simply just have to hope Tony Brothers' inevitable game deciding up is in our favour.

[Texas_Ranger]

Monty McCutchen
Tony Brothers
Zach Zarba
Alt: Bill Kennedy

Well it was a good game...

[ace3g]

Just win ... Road trip victories!

Where did you get this photo from

[dg7md]

We'll need a Joey Crawford-reffed game in Miami this series tbh...

[Tim_duncan21]

Just win ... Road trip victories!

This is a good sign

[Baam]

Just read that when it is tied 1-1 in the Finals, the team that won game 3 historically won the series 83% of the time... That's some scary odds.

[Prime Time]

Just read that when it is tied 1-1 in the Finals, the team that won game 3 historically won the series 83% of the time... That's some scary odds.

The 2013 Spurs and 2011 Heat both ed that up, so I wouldn't exactly call it a deciding factor here lol.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Just win ... Road trip victories!

[Baam]

The 2013 Spurs and 2011 Heat both ed that up, so I wouldn't exactly call it a deciding factor here lol.

good point