NBA Finals: Game 6 Recap and Game 7 Prospects
It’s finally come down to what most experts predicted the NBA Finals would end this year – a game 7 title decider.
The series so far has showcased the strength of almost every single player on each roster despite no one player having MVP worthy consecutive games, something that needs to be changed if Pop wants to add a fifth ring to his dynasty or for Spoelstra to complete the repeat.
Last night’s game was officially Tim Duncan flashback night, albeit for three quarters. San Antonio looked the more creative off of the pick and roll, the more effective in the paint and even the most efficient and drilled defensive unit for 36 minutes of the match. So how is it the Heat managed to grind this one out?
Missed Three Throws: The Spurs were a strong three throw shooting team this season at just over 82%, last night however they shot 75% including two CRUCIAL misses by both Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker in the final minute of the 4th quarter.
Manu Ginobli: Manu’s stat line from game 5 (where he started for the first time in 12 months) read like his former all star self, scoring 24 points and getting 10 dimes along the way. Last night was a very different story, Pop decided to start Manu again to match Spoelstra’s ‘small ball’ style of play that the Heat have played this season. Manu only managed 9 points and 3 assists last night, even if he managed half the numbers he got in game 5 the Spurs would be planning a Texas style parade today.
Danny Green: HE MISSED SOME THREES!
Chris Bosh: Bosh was outstanding; Tim Duncan was playing like he was 28 again and posting up everyone that came his way but despite this, he was unbelievable defensively. Grabbing 11 boards (3 of which were offensive), stealing it 3 times and even blocking 3 shots. The stats may not scream MVP performance but he gave what the Heat so desperately have needed, presence in the paint. On top of this he still contributed double digits with his scoring, creating driving lanes in the paints with his threat from 15 feet plus.
LeBron James: Played Like LeBron James. – If Miami win tomorrow night then his second chance 3 pointer in the dying seconds of the 4th quarter will go down in history as one of the most clutch plays ever in the NBA.
Here a just a few things to look out for in Game 7
Tim Duncan: It’s sad to say that just like Manu in game 5 maybe the old legs only had one more star performance in them yet. If he wants that fifth ring though he needs to do something that you’ve never really seen from ‘The Fundamental’ (Shaq’s nickname for him Timmy, not quite as catchy as when he made up ‘The Truth.’) He needs to get angry, intentionally foul, hassle Lebron…As Pop said in last season’s Western Conference Finals when the Spurs were dumped out by the OKC Thunder ‘I need more Nasty!’ That’s how Indiana, a team without the all-star firepower of the Heat, managed to almost beat Miami in the Eastern Finals.
Chris Andersen: I don’t legitimately believe that Birdman will at all be the deciding factor in game 7 BUT… how do you as an opposition coach prepare your players to handle 15 high intensity minutes from a guy who doesn’t care how many fouls he gets and doesn’t care if he even scores a point, Andersen pumps the crowd up and throws off the well drilled paint offensive and defence of the Spurs, giving the rest of his team the chance to capitalise on any lapse in concentration he creates.
San Antonio’s role players: Boris Diaw, Danny Green and Gary Neal, over the course of the series these have been the main guys who play the role of ‘supporting cast.’ Green’s ridiculous record aside, this is game seven of the NBA Finals, the most important game of any of these players careers. Personally I’m not convinced that guys who have had to ply their trade in Europe and the D-League to get this shot will dominate the biggest stage in world basketball. Miami’s role players? Ray Allen, Champion and all time record shot maker from beyond the arc. Mike Miller, 13 year vet, former sixth man of the year and rookie of the year. Shane Battier, NCAA and NBA champion, John Wooden award winner and two time member of the All NBA-defensive second team……that’s the kind of pedigree I’d want from my role players.
Tony Parker v LeBron James: Obviously the future hall of fame and franchise legend Dwyane Wade can go on a tear at any point but the last game hinges on how the two superstars perform. Parker isn’t 100%, his hamstring hasn’t been the same since game 3 but with a 4 month break coming up he’ll ignore any tightness he feels. If the Heat aren’t 110% defensively then Parker will carve Miami up through the lane and in the paint.
LeBron needs to be more attacking in the first half, sure his performances have been good and if Miami win he WILL be Finals MVP, but he has waited till the 3rd quarter to get going most of the time this series. This has been an obvious repercussion of trying to get Bosh and Wade in the game but if being down 10 and having to step up is a lot harder in a game 7 situation than a game 3 or 5, we know one thing though… he is officially going to keep the headband on to start the game.
13 days ago I predicted the Heat would win in 5 with San Antonio managing a solitary win in their home arena, this series has defied all of our expectations, headlines have been created for all the right reasons, the two best sets of players in the league battling it out with massive respect for each other, it’s been a privilege to watch. Game 7 will shape the legacy of one of these franchises in very different ways, the Spurs cementing their status as a multi-decade ‘dynasty’ whereas Miami are looking to have a 2-3 record in consecutive finals appearances under the ‘Big 3 era’ sadly anything less from them will be deemed as a failure.
The best thing about tomorrow night’s game? No matter how much we pick apart and analyse, it truly remains a mystery who’s going to have the upper hand. Just 48 minutes of grit, flare and determination stands between one these two teams lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy tomorrow night.
