Jun 16, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) drives to the basket against Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half of game five in the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT
The trend continued in the NBA Finals. As if anyone is surprised (I am, really).
I really thought the Miami Heat had figured out the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. I was wrong. Big time.
The Spurs came out, as they had in Game’s 1 and 3, with a furry — offensively and defensively. The Spurs cruised to a 114-104 Game 5 win, now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Let’s just cut to the chase and hit the rundown.
First up, Pop made a change to his starting lineup. Pop lineup change > Spo lineup change…
How did Popovich feel that starting Ginobili worked out? "Fairly well."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 17, 2013
Statistically, really well.
Absurd: Just the second time in Manu Ginobili's 11-year career that he's tallied 24+ points and 10+ assists in a game.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 17, 2013
Welp.
Spoelstra said he anticipated that Ginobili would start
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 17, 2013
The new golden rule – Always listen to Tony Parker.
Tony Parker limps very noticeably to the podium, then says: "I told you Manu was going to have a big game. You didn't listen."
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) June 17, 2013
Also, Parker was not looking good in Postgame.
Tony Parker limps & grimaces to the podium #Spurs #Heat #NBAFinals
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) June 17, 2013
On to Game 6? Vegas thinks the trend continues… advantage, Heat?
#Heat open as a 7 pt favorite in Game 6
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) June 17, 2013
Spo doesn’t have time for our statistical analysis.
Spoelstra, when told about teams down 3-2 headed home in Finals: "You can't win the game with a statistic. You have to win it on the court."
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) June 17, 2013
Remember that lineup change? Maybe it isn’t quite working for the Heat…
Mike Miller has played 46 minutes the last 2 games and has taken just 2 shots. How is that possible?
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 17, 2013
Tim Duncan, on the other hand, is.
Lost in all the Tony Parker/Danny Green/Ginobili talk is: Tim Duncan: 17 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks.
— Shandel Richardson (@ShandelRich) June 17, 2013
By the way, the Heat have been here before — down 3-2 in the NBA Finals. Let’s see if they’ve learned anything.
LEBRON: "We’re going to see if we’re a better team than our first year together.”
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 17, 2013
How can you not like Danny Green, who lit up the Heat again in Game 5 while breaking the NBA Finals record with 25 three-pointers made in 38 attempts.
DANNY GREEN: "I've just been getting lucky." lol
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 17, 2013
The matter of the fact is that the Heat now have to win the next two games. Something that they haven’t done in a very, very long time.
Miami hasn't won 2 straight since May 13 and 15. It will need to do that Tuesday and Thursday to save its season.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 17, 2013
But what’d you expect. Has this been a good series? I can’t tell, yet.
Spurs are really good. So are the Heat. What a series.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 17, 2013
Have I mentioned that this NBA Finals is weird? It’s been so weird!!
This Finals is redefining the power of momentum
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 17, 2013
Last, but not least, gotta love San Antonio.
Horns still honking on streets of San Antonio
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 17, 2013
On to Game 6.