The San Antonio Spurs clinched their fifth NBA title on Sunday thanks to a 104-87 triumph over the Miami Heat.
Kawhi Leonard came up with another dominant performance finishing with 22 points and 10 points to become just the second youngest player at the age of 22 – after Tim Duncan in 1999 – to be crowned the Finals Most Valuable Player.
Leonard opened his Finals appearances averaging nine points in Games 1 and 2, though he steeped up with 29 points in Game 3 at Miami, followed by a 20-point contribution in Game 4.
“Right now it is surreal to me. I had a group of guys behind me, just pushing me to be aggressive in the game. Pop (Gregg Popovich), fans pushed me,” Leonard said minutes after the game.
“I hope it does not put too much pressure on him. He is only 22, let him play,” Tony Parker said of Leonard.
The Spurs lost to Miami in Game 7 of last year’s Finals, though on Sunday they stepped on floor, ready to maintain their regular-season’s best team status and close out the series in Game 5.
After winning the Larry O’Brian trophy in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007, the Spurs ended Miami’s two-year title reign. It was Miami’s fourth consecutive NBA Finals.
LeBron James finished with a game-high 31 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade combined for 24 points for the Heat, while Shane Battier finished his NBA career scoreless in 10.59 minutes.
“They were the better team, that’s why they are the champions,” James said of San Antonio.
Tim Duncan added 14 points, Manu Ginobili scored 19 and Tony Parker contributed 16 points as they became the most successful trio in the NBA playoffs history with 117 victories.
After a fabulous start by Miami, they were unable to keep the pace as San Antonio responded with an authoritative 21 point lead in the third – the biggest of the game.
James’ 20 points at the break – half of his team’s 40 points – were indicative of his determination to fight back, though Miami’s bench could only add two points against San Antonio’s 22.
At that moment of the game, James led all scorers, while Leonard and back-up guard Manu Ginobili sparked the Spurs with a combined 29 points.
Parker and Green struggled offensively, finishing the half scoreless, and Leonard heard MVP chants throughout the games.
Although San Antonio trailed by as many as 16 points, the Spurs bounced-back to lead 47-40 at the break.
If Miami trailed by seven by the end of the first 24 minutes, their start of the third quarter was not any better as James, Bosh, Allen and Co remained scoreless for the first 4.10 minutes, while the Spurs extended the lead to 50-40.
Parker only scored his first two points late in the third, after missing his 10 straight shots. Mills came off the bench to score 14 of his 17 points, forcing Miami to their worst moment of the game.
