“I have work Thursday.”
Call in sick.
“I gotta take my girl out.”
Blow her off.
“I have stuff to do.”
No you don’t.
The best game of the season unfolded Tuesday night in a thrilling 103-100 overtime victory for the Miami Heat. The highlights were incredible, the lowlights were cringe-worthy and the emotions were set at 11 from the tip.
It’s hard to point fingers at why this game was so incredible. For as many times as both teams helped themselves with big shots and incredible defense, they seemed to shoot themselves in the foot. LeBron James finished with a 32-point, 11-rebound and 10-assist triple-double and hit an incredibly clutch three in the fourth quarter’s waning moments, seconds after turning the ball over…twice. Tony Parker scored five points in the fourth’s final minute, only to be swatted and contained in overtime. Danny Green played incredible defense moments before getting completely and utterly denied by Chris Bosh for the game’s last shot attempt.
But, ultimately, Miami left their fans happy and their coach employed. They hit the big shot – word to Ray Allen, dropping a season-saving corner three with five seconds to go, which we kinda, sorta, but not really called weeks ago. They also played better (much better) defense. However you want to credit their attention to that side of the ball – a bunch of long, intimidating athletes playing to their full potential or Erik Spoestra bringing the best out of them – defense would ultimately be what brought Miami back into the game and what would carry them to victory.
Looking forward, it’s hard to tell what’s going to happen. One could make the argument that Miami is out gas after battling back like that. But then, one could argue that San Antonio – so close to victory that the NBA actually brought the championship trophy into the arena in anticipation of a San Antonio victory, per Michael Wilbon on ESPN’s post-game show – won’t be able to come back from such a let-down. Peripheral factors are also going to make a difference such San Antonio still having the coaching advantage even if Pop made some questionable substitutions; Miami has home-court advantage. But who the hell knows? I guess I’m calling Miami to win, but no smart man is putting money on this game.
There was a point in time (midway through the third) that this space looked destined to run an obituary for Miami’s 2013 season. Now? We have the most mythical and welcome of beasts the sporting world has to offer, knocking on our front door – a NBA Finals Game 7. Rest up, replenish whatever emotions were lost during Game 6 and join us for Game 7.
And, as is always the case, an extra-huge shoutout to our extended internuts family for making TSS the place to be (1,700 comments? What!?!). We look forward to having all of you back for the final game of the 2013 NBA season.