The defending world champion Miami Heat returned to the 2013 NBA Finals for a chance to defend their throne, playing in the cozy comforts of South Beach. The championship series began on Thursday night with the well-rested San Antonio Spurs, outhustling the champs in the late stages of Game 1 to pull off a 92 – 88 victory in Miami, stunning the Heat in front of their home crowd. Point guard Tony Parker has been on fire throughout the playoffs, and again Thursday night, with the game hanging in the balance, Parker took control and scored the game-clinching basket with five seconds to play. Parker finished with 21 points while Tim Duncan had 20 to lead San Antonio.
The Spurs have proven time and time again that no matter the circumstances, this team knows how to win, and knows how to close out an opponent, and so far in the 2013 Playoffs, no one has been able to stay on the floor with the Spurs. NBA MVP LaBron James, like Parker, has been unstoppable in these playoffs, but despite a triple-double performance of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, it was San Antonio who drew first blood in the Finals. The Spurs now control the home-court advantage and are all set for Game 2 Sunday at South Beach. Dare I say this is now a “must-win” situation for Miami?
