El Conclusion: San Antonio Spurs 114, Miami Heat 104

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Miami Heat 104 Final
Recap | Box Score		 114 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 38 MIN | 7-10 FG | 3-4 FT | 12 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 3 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | +2

We’ve yet to have a monster game from Duncan, but 17 points on 10 shots, 12 rebounds and three blocks is a helluva game. Any time you get that kind of production from arguably your fourth best player on the night, you’re probably gonna win. /Hubie’d
Kawhi Leonard, SF 33 MIN | 6-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 8 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 16 PTS | +2

Similar to Duncan, Leonard put up great numbers in what will probably be an overlooked performance. The best way to describe Leonard’s night was timely. He didn’t string a lot of plays together, but he made an impact in the right moments.
Tony Parker, PG 36 MIN | 10-14 FG | 6-8 FT | 1 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 26 PTS | -1

If Parker’s hamstring is still bothering him, it was hard to tell on this night. I didn’t notice that his burst or separation was particular limited in Game 5. Parker had a an efficient night scoring as well with 26 points on 14 shots.
Manu Ginobili, SG 33 MIN | 8-14 FG | 7-8 FT | 2 REB | 10 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 24 PTS | +19

Hey there vintage Manu, good to see you. If this was Manu Ginobili’s last home game in a Spurs uniform (not saying it is, just saying it could be), this was a hell of a way to go out. In the starting lineup for the first time this season, Ginobili led the charge for San Antonio. You knew at least one game like this was coming from Manu in the Finals. Luckily for San Antonio it was Game 5.
Danny Green, SG 39 MIN | 8-15 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 3 BLK | 2 TO | 24 PTS | +6

If the Spurs win this series and Danny Green wins the Finals MVP, it’ll be a testament to the Spurs’ system more than anything else. This run he’s on is incredible and with the way he carries himself behind the scenes, it’s a pleasure to watch.
Boris Diaw, C 27 MIN | 0-1 FG | 1-2 FT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 1 PTS | +6

Boris Diaw submitted what could be considered the best one-point performance in NBA playoff history. He played incredible defense on LeBron James for long stretches of this game and moved the ball well in the offense. His impact after not playing in Game 3 has been an incredibly important development.
Tiago Splitter, C 10 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 4 PTS | +6

With the Spurs going small, Splitter has gone from Duncan’s big man partner to his backup center. To Splitter’s credit, he submitted a solid performance after Game 4’s nightmare.

Gary Neal, PG 21 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS | +17

Quiet night from gunner Gary Neal. That he was surplus to requirements is a good sign for San Antonio.
Gregg Popovich

The move to start Manu Ginobili was the right one. Gary Neal has been a bigger spark plug off the bench in this series than Manu. It may have gotten Manu going (we’ll see) and it made the defensive matchups better for the Spurs.

Four Things We Saw

  1. Turnovers were still a problem for the Spurs in this one, they damn near led to a fourth quarter collapse, but some timely shooting from Green and others stymied the Heat run. Had San Antonio not shot 60 percent from the field in Game 5, this series might be 3-2 the other way.
  2. Patty Mills, who’s out for the rest of the Finals after surgery to remove an abscess between two of his toes, decided against sitting behind the bench in his business casual and instead sat on the floor next to the bench so he could be an active towel waver. He limped his way to be one of the first to greet teammates when they came off the floor during timeouts. How this guy didn’t win the NBA’s new Teammate of the Year award is beyond me.
  3. Chants of Manu rained down at the AT&T Center several times during Game 5. You’ll often get MVP chants when a player is at the free throw line, but you rarely ever get chants of a particular player’s name. I think plenty were aware of the uncertainty regarding Ginobili’s future and if this was his swan song at home, he went out with style. San Antonio loves them some Manu Ginobili.
  4. Lost in the shuffle of Miami’s undefeated record in the playoffs after a loss (6-0) is that the Spurs are now 5-0 in the postseason following a defeat. Basically, this series is destined to go to Game 7.
  • As

    Great win!! Solid performances for the guys on the floor, great mental toughness to survive Mia runs.
    I’d love to hear from the guys that said Manu was done, the one moron that said he wanted Manu retired before game 5…go learn some ball and then come back..

  • idahospur

    Manu is a guy who feeds off irregularities. Starting him was a great move allowing him to not be confined by a structured system and allowed him to dominate. Before the game, I expected Manu to sit out but Pop rewarding trust wins out again. Pop believed in the right guys this series.

    This series has been most about someone stepping up when unexpected. Leonard slowing LeBron in Game 1, Gary Neal/Danny Green shoot fest in 3, and Manu tonight!
    Finish in 6!

  • camnpat

    Amazing game by the silver and white shirts. And happy to see Manu’s spark again.

    On a completely unrelated note, I have seen some compare Danny Green to Bruce Bowen. Notwithstanding that he is a terrific defender (incredible transition defense all night long) I believe he is more a Sean Elliot- type offensive player.

  • junierizzle

    One more to go.

    Game 7 would be in Miami. There is no reason for the SPurs to feel comfortable. They can’t go in with a “We have two shots at it” kind of attitude. No turnover. No turnovers. NO TURNOVERS.

  • incredibeau

    oh there you are manu

  • BobbyKe

    Good to have Manu back. His best game all season in perfect timing. The Spurs may have been more lights out in Game 3, but this felt like a more complete effort to me. All 5 starters with 16 points & starters shooting 64% collectively. Diaw with a strong effort off the bench & great fast break defense especially by Green

    I had this in 6 before the series & I’m sticking with 6

  • TheFG21

    We cant go to Miami thinking about a game 7! Next game would be the second most important game of the Series! Being the 1st the most impotant as it set the tone. 3rd most important for me was today.

    I know the guys know this and Pop would be psycho about this to them. Theres no game 7!

  • td4life

    “You knew at least one game like this was coming from Manu in the Finals.”
    Yes I did, sir, yes I did. Absolutely. That said it came as huge relief. Great move by Pop doing what had to be done to get Manu going. Also, thanks Andrew for not dropping your nickname for Danny Green during this stretch of his; one more win is all we need and then you can call him whatever you want, MVP or whatever.

  • kenner311

    A couple of things. One: The Spurs committed too many turnovers, but they improved dramatically to limit the fast break points in this game. If they can continue to have that transition defense, they’ll take away one of the Heat’s most dangerous weapons, because the Heat live off of turnovers.
    Two: Am I the only one who thought that it was a mistake for the Spoelstra to play his guys the last 5 minutes? Sure, they got within 8 points, but those types of drives against this caliber of a team only works if there’s one guy on the team who is scoring, and he’s tired (like Curry in game 1 vs. the Warriors). Maybe I’m being optimistic, but Lebron really looked winded near the end of the game 44 minutes followed by 40 minutes of Wade (for those following who played the most in this game). Green played 39 minutes but he’s only 25. In doing this, the Heat expended a great deal of energy for nothing. This could open the door for more doable game 6 win for the Spurs.

  • Len

    I wouldn’t say nothing. The Heat had a chance near the end. Take away that stupid screen by LeBron and the Heat would’ve been down 8 with all the momentum with 3 mins (?) or so.

    But yes, I do agree that the door is cracked for the Spurs to try and snag game 6. And they’re gonna throw everything they’ve got at the Heat and skip the drama of a game 7.

  • Melbourne Spur

    Whatever happens from here, I’m super proud of the 2012-13 Spurs. That said, boy do I want that one more win. I’ve never felt that getting one more win will be such a huge effort. If we can do it (and I’ve said all season we would beat Miami in the finals) then it will rank as the best of all our 5 titles for me, easily, and it’ll probably be my fondest sporting memory, and that’s coming from a sport-crazed man.
    Some other random thoughts….
    Really think we will get it in six. Tim, Tony, Manu and Pop have that killer instinct to finish off teams, and fully expect them to get it done.
    Danny is other-worldly right now. Just amazing.
    Kawhi is quietly (is there any other way for him) putting together a very solid series, and playoffs overall.
    If I had to vote for MVP so far, I have Danny slightly ahead of Tim. I’d love to see Tim get it from a historic perspective, as it would add to his brilliance and to the argument to put him above that guy from LA that has 5 rings. Danny is shooting freakishly good, but for all but one game Tim has been there with very consistent solid numbers in pts,rebs, and blcks, without having much of the ball run through him (on that note, when was the last elbow jumper he took this series???). If Danny were to get it though you can only be happy for him, and to the fact it points to the Spurs truly being a great TEAM.
    Of the5 games thus far, the best or most important player of each game could arguably have been 1. Tony, 2. Chalmers, 3. Green, 4. Wade, 5. Manu/Green/Tony. Notice a name missing from that group? I’m not a huge LeBron hater, I actually think he is an amazing talent. But how if you are the best player in the world, can you not be the most important player in any of the first 5 games in the finals? Credit to our defenders, Kawhi especially (and nice job in GM 5 Boris), but there is something missing mentally or competitively if you cannot force yourself to be the biggest player in any game so far. Let’s hope that trend continues for at least one more game.
    Super excited. Love this team. Let’s finish this and get one for the thumb!!!

  • STIJL

    Good point. Hope fatigue of LeBron and Wade play a factor into game 6 for the Spurs.

  • TheFG21

    Duncan played 38 mins and he’s 37 y/o. It could, but I don’t think it will make a difference when your season and Championship is on the line. LeBron may have a 40 y/o face, but he’s young (28). The same w/ the rejuvenated Dwyane “Flash Cortisone” Wade at 31 y/o.

    In the other hand, I hope fatigue in MIA players does make a difference!

  • TheFG21

    I love Timmy and wish he could win another FMVP before retiring, but I think he will have to have an EPIC performance in Game 6 (or 7, hope not) for him to win the MVP. Right now its a Tony/Green run for it.

    Anyways, thats for media attention. Lets forget to talk about MVPs and lets enjoy this marvelous unselfish team he got here. All of them are MVPs all of them are SPURS first themselves after!!

    GO! SPURS! GO!

  • edward

    Manu reminds me of when Roger Rabbit is stuck in hancuffs and couldn’t find the key, then slips out of them at opportune moment.
    “You mean, you coulda slipped out of those handcuffs at anytime?”
    “Nope, only when it was funny”
    “You mean, you coulda scored 24 and 10 assists anytime you wanted?”
    “No, only when it was awesome.”

  • Sir Timothy

    Best comment ever. That is what I am saying Ginobili literally can only do his best when his best is absolutely required.

  • Titletown99030507d

    That’s our Vintage Manu.

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  • NYC

    Never seen so many A’s on one report card. Total team effort. If we can replicate this one more time, there isn’t a Big Three out there that can withstand our brand of ball.

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