The Miami Heat are trailing their opponent in an elimination game for the first time in the 2013 NBA Playoffs. LeBron James and his legacy have been pushed to the brink by the San Antonio Spurs and its core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. In order for the Heat to win the NBA Finals, they will have to complete what neither team in this series has been able to thus far: win consecutive games starting with tonight’s Game 6.
The past two games have featured aging stars rising to the occasions despite their battles with nagging injuries. Dwayne Wade helped propel the Heat to a blowout win in Game 4 on the road, only to be countered by a breakout performance from Manu Ginobili in Game 5. All of the pressure of tonight’s game falls squarely on the shoulders of the Heat, especially LeBron James.
James needs to win this NBA Finals if he’s to remain in the conversation with all-time greats like Michael Jordan. Allowing the Spurs to win their fifth title with Tim Duncan under center would be a major blow to James’ legacy, especially after the stunt he and Chris Bosh pulled to head to South Beach at the same time as free agents.
The Spurs came into these 2013 NBA Finals the underdogs and have proven that not only can they compete with the Heat, but they can win handily. Danny Green continues to shoot lights out from beyond the arc and will be looking to extend the NBA record for made three-pointers in the Finals tonight. The Heat would be wise to run him off the line every chance they get.
Though the Spurs are on the road, the awakening of Ginobili’s shooting touch in Game 5 gives Parker and Duncan an additional boost and weapon to utilize in the offense. There’s a possibility that Ginobili could start again tonight after he did in Game 5 in what appeared to be a gesture for the fans more than a strategic decision. It worked wonders for the Spurs offense regardless of the motivation.
Tonight’s Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Playoffs Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs tips off at 9/8c in high definition (HD) only on ABC. At this time ABC does not provide the option of watching an official free online live streaming version of Game 6 in Miami via a mobile phone, iPad, laptop or other Internet device. Online coverage is available before and during the game here at the official NBA website. I predict LeBron James enters beast mode tonight and wills his team to a 103-90 Game 6 win to force a decisive Game 7.
