Spurs Embrace Heat In First Game

     The Miami Heat began their attempt for a third consecutive NBA title and ended with a 110-95 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Spurs lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game 2 to be played on Sunday. Miami lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals for the third straight year.
     Both teams met each other for the NBA championship last year in which the Heat prevailed in seven games. It is the first time that two teams faced one another in the NBA Finals two straight years since the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz in 1997 and 1998.
     Miami started the game 7-2, however the Spurs responded with a 16-6 edge and led 18-13 seven minutes in. San Antonio ended the period with an 8-1 spurt and ahead 26-20. The Heat outscored their opponent 29-28 in the second quarter and trailed 54-49 at halftime.
     The Heat scored eight consecutive points near the end of the third and were up 78-74 after three quarters. Miami pushed the margin up to seven points 86-79 with 9:37 left in the fourth, but the Spurs regained the lead on a 20-4 run and led 99-90 with 3:24 to go. San Antonio extended their lead up to double digits 105-95 with 1:14 remaining and finished the game on a 31-9 tear.
     LeBron James left the contest due to a leg cramp with 3:59 left in the fourth quarter and never returned. He helped the Heat with 25 points and six rebounds 33 minutes. Dwyane Wade, who is trying to capture his fourth title in his 11-season career, added 19 points while Chris Bosh compiled in 18 points and nine rebounds as he fell short of a double-double. Miami reserve Ray Allen scored 16 points.
     Tim Duncan, who is looking for his fifth NBA title for himself and the Spurs franchise, had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes. Manu Ginobili came off the bench as he contributed a double-double of  points, 11 assists and five rebounds. Tony Parker put together 19 points and eight assists. Danny Green drilled in a couple of three-point shots in the final quarter and finished with 13.