Heat Beat Spurs to Force Game 7 of the NBA Finals


by Marcel Mutoni @ marcel_mutoni

LeBron James called it by far the greatest game he’s ever been a part of. One would be hard-pressed to argue with him.

The Miami Heat stunned the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, forcing a do-or-die Game 7 for the championship with an incredible 103-100 overtime victory.

It took a heroic three-pointer from Ray Allen, Chris Bosh’s late-game blocks and rebounding, plus LeBron’s all-around brilliance in the fourth quarter for the Heat to escape with a win.

Per the AP:

LeBron James saved a championship reign, canceled a celebration. The toughest part now might be topping this performance in Game 7. “It’s by far the best game I’ve ever been a part of,” James said. He wouldn’t let the Miami Heat lose it — or their NBA title. If the San Antonio Spurs want that, they’ll have to fight just a little harder to get it. One last game, winner take all.

Losing his headband but keeping his cool while playing the entire second half and overtime, James finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, making the go-ahead basket with 1:43 remaining in the extra period. So close to being eliminated that they noticed officials bringing yellow tape out to block off the court for the Spurs’ trophy presentation, the Heat hit a couple of big 3-pointers, got some defensive stops, and did everything else that makes great teams champions. “We seen the championship board already out there, the yellow tape. And you know, that’s why you play the game to the final buzzer,” James said. “And that’s what we did tonight. We gave it everything that we had and more.”

The Spurs were so very close to winning a championship last night, needing just a rebound or two late in the fourth quarter, but the Heat managed to hang on. San Antonio, devastated as they may be, must now somehow regroup and try to secure that extremely rare Game 7 victory on the road in the NBA Finals.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra summed up what lies ahead nicely:

“They’re the best two words in sports: Game 7.”

Still, one can’t help but feel that Thursday night’s battle will have a hard time topping the Game 6 classic.