In the 2013 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat overcame incredible odds to eke out their second straight championship against the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.
In a series which was defined by streaks, it was only fitting that the team which ran off a near NBA record 27 consecutive wins would emerge victorious. The series was no cakewalk for the Miami Heat, as they were continually tested by the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs held a 3-2 lead in Miami and what seemed like an insurmountable five point lead with just under 30 seconds left to play in Game 6.
Heat star LeBron James brought the ball up the court and settled for a three which clanked off the rim, but into the hands of teammate Mike Miller. Miller passed it back out and James managed to drain his shot from the same spot on the floor. After a Heat foul and a missed free throw by the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, the Miami Heat had the ball again with just under 20 seconds. The Spurs appeared to be on the verge of victory, though.
James once again put up a three from the same spot which again bounced off. Heat forward/center, Chris Bosh brought down the rebound and passed out to Ray Allen for a last desperation shot. Allen, the all-time leader in made three pointers, caught the ball and heaved a fade-away three from the corner. The ball dropped through the net as all members of the Spurs looked on in disbelief. A 37-year old future Hall of Famer who held the record for the most made three pointers of all-time had just made what might be his greatest shot.
Heat fan and SHS senior Aldwin De Guzman claimed that the shot “brought [him] out of depression.” With just under five seconds left in regulation, the Spurs failed to convert on anything and the game went to overtime.
The Heat took Game 6 in overtime and then clinched the series with a seven point victory in Miami in Game 7. LeBron James was named the Finals’ Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row with averages of about 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Junior Reeti Gulati remarked that “putting up stats like that on such a big stage is an amazing feat.”
The Spurs’ Danny Green also broke the record for most made threes in an NBA Finals series, which was previously held by Ray Allen, with 27. He only made 2 of his 11 attempts in Games 6 and 7 due to greater defensive focus on him by the Heat, which proved vital to their victory.
The Heat will face more tests as they attempt to win a third consecutive title. The road will be just as difficult next season. After a busy offseason for many teams, new contenders such as the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets have emerged. Sophomore Aradhya Kasera thought that “the Eastern Conference is going to be more competitive with Derrick Rose coming back” to the Chicago Bulls, in addition to a “much stronger” Nets team. A three-peat will prove to be no easy task, but with most of the team returning, it is very possible.