The numbers 17 and 22 might only be separated by 5, but the disparity shown by the Heat last night is as deep as the emerging difference between the Spurs and the Heat as franchises.
The Spurs have been a long running NBA flagship franchise. For the 15 seasons that Tim Duncan has been in San Antonio, the Spurs have been a contending team. It started with the Admiral, David Robinson, who was able to team up with Duncan and along the way the Carribean kid picked up new pals like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker to make more runs.
But Duncan is getting up there in age and his skills and game are not what they used to be. Sure, he can still play at a high level, but he needs more help these days to mount a sustainable attack.
That didn’t seem to be the case last night as the Spurs dropped 35 in the opening quarter against the Heat, shooting 67% from the field. Then staying productive on 57% shooting in the first half to keep a mount a 14 point lead.
At one point, the Heat were down as many as 17 points. Then the 3rd quarter commenced and everything changed.
We could say the Heat played with more energy, played better defense, and made shots and, well, that would make a difference. But not this dramatic of a difference. The Heat ended up winning the game 120-98 – a 22 point differential – in a game that seemed like the Heat were, at best, going to mount a fight to the finish. Certainly this game did not have the word “blowout” written on it at all. Not without Dwyane Wade in the game and with a sick Lebron James.
In fact, it was the play of Lebron James (33 points) that helped turn this game around as he hit three of four three pointers at one stretch in the 3rd to really push the Heat over the top. Still, it was the debut of Mike Miller, dropping 6-6 threes, that stole this game away from the Spurs and turned this into a laugher.
Greg Popovich, the much bally-hooed coach of the Spurs put his spin on it:
“…I felt we folded. They physically killed us.”
With the win, the Heat moved on to 9-4 and the Spurs are still looking for their first road win of the season at 0-5. It was also the first time the Heat were able to practice back to back since the start of the season. Good things may be on the horizon despite Wade’s temporary set back.
Things, for the Spurs, are changing. Their big pieces are aging and looking like their time is short in front of them. Much like the Boston Celtics, it will be intriguing to see how this team meets the challenge of rebuilding without having to suffer any long time lapse.
About jonnylons
Loading ...