NBA Finals 2013: Pre Game 5 Twitter snips and bits
Jun 13, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Gary Neal (14), head coach Gregg Popovich, Manu Ginobili (20), Tony Parker (9), and Tiago Splitter (22) react against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of game four of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT
The Big Three finally showed up. The Heat’s that is.
In Game 4, the combination of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh combined for 85 points — most in a postseason game for them — to even the series (2-2) against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. With crucial Game 5 set for tomorrow night, let’s get you started with some Twitter news and notes from Thursday’s aftermath.
First up, LeBron played — easily — his best game of the series, at least scoring-wise. And not many noticed.
LeBron scored the quietest, team-leading 33 points in league history last night.
— Shandel Richardson (@ShandelRich) June 14, 2013
When Wade shows up, it’s usually in a big way.
Dwyane Wade: 1st player with 30 pts, 6 steals in a Finals game since 1988 (Isiah Thomas, Pistons vs Lakers).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 14, 2013
Wade showcased his vintage self in game 4, 32 points and six steals, hopes to continue it and feels like this series is going the distance.
WADE preparing for a Game 7? "Just being aggressive from start to finish, and hopefully that's what we can see for the next three games.”
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 14, 2013
Obviously, it’s now a best-of-three. Irony?
Fitting with the star trios of Heat-Spurs that it all comes down to a Best of 3.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 15, 2013
What does Tim Duncan aka Mr. Obvious think about Game 5? Of course.
Tim Duncan: "It's a must win for us. We don't want to go back to their house down two games."
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 15, 2013
Tony Parker says his hamstring is fine.
Parker on hamstring: "It feels good. It feels like I'm getting stronger with it."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 15, 2013
Then, contradicts himself. I blame Pop.
Parker says if it was regular season, he would be resting 10 days. "It can tear at any time now "
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 15, 2013
The Heat downplaying their lineup change (Mike Miller for Udonis Haslem at the 4).
Wade on lineup adjustment in Game4: "We played in nervous energy. We were going to play a better game no matter who was on the floor."
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) June 15, 2013
Pop is still, well, Pop.
Popovich is back to his usual form. He just told me that my question about his lineup "demanded my triteness."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 15, 2013
LeBron is tired of being mediocre and inconsistent.
LeBron: "I think it's time. It's time for us to win consecutive games."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 15, 2013
Oh, yeah. That Game 5 is, uh, pretty big.
In 2-3-2 format (since 1985) when an NBA Finals series is tied 2-2, the Game 5 winner has gone on to win 7 of 10 series.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 14, 2013
The Heat and Spurs have alternated wins in this series. If the trend continues, the Spurs will be up 3-2 after Sunday night. The Heat’s challenge is to not get complacent with Thursday’s win. Yes, they won home court, but why settle when you could go for the kill.
The Spurs? Well, this is as much of a “must-win” as you’re going to get. San Antonio is not going to win two more in Miami. It’s just not going to happen. Spurs need Game 5, but do the Heat want it?
On to Game 5.