05-03-2013, 10:09 PM
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#7
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Pro
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Re: Complete 30-Team Association
Finals Recap
#1
vs
#1
Scores
Game 1: 109-93 Thunder (1-0)
Game 2: 120-83 Heat (1-1)
Game 3: 96-95 Thunder (2-1)
Game 4: 114-87 Heat (2-2)
Game 5: 95-87 Heat (3-2)
Game 6: 89-88 Thunder (3-3)
Game 7:93-88 Thunder (4-3)
Coming into the series, this NBA Finals rematch looked to be short and quick, mainly because of the injury that Russell Westbrook suffered in the first round series against the Rockets. NBA fans and critics around the world didn't think that the Thunder had a shot, despite dismantling the Grizzlies and the Warriors each in five games the past two rounds.
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In Game 1, any doubts that the Thunder were here to compete and win the title were shut down as the took a 58-49 lead into the half. In the third quarter, the Heat could not slow down the Thunder offense in order to stage a comeback. The game eventually ended in blowout fashion, 109-93 to the Thunder.
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If anyone expected the Heat to take control of the second game, it didn't look that way in the first quarter. Their offense looked sloppy, but they were able to end the quarter at a tie from two threes by LeBron James. The next three quarters were utter dominance by the Heat, as the outscored the Thunder by 12, 9, and 16 points to win the game 120-83.
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After Game 2, the viewers of the NBA Finals believed that the Heat were ready to take control and win the rest of the series. However, Durant, who has said "I'm tired of being second" earlier in the playoffs, lived up to his statement, and delivered a fourth quarter that proved to the world that he was not giving up the pivotal third game. Durant hit the go-ahead shot with 9.7 seconds left, and shut down LeBron James as he tried to lift the Heat over the Thunder. The game ended with Durant's hand raised at a 96-95 victory.
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In Game 4, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra made a decision to play Dwyane Wade at the pointto begin the second quarter. The decision paid off as a close game turned into a blowout as Wade punished the inexperienced Jackson, and slow-footed Derek Fisher. The Thunder were eventually forced to play bigwith no point guard, but their offense could not generate enough offense to try to make a comeback. The Heat won the Game 114-87.
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History shows that the winner of Game 5 in a 2-2 serious most likely wins the series. The Heat came out early and showed that they wanted to take this game, and be once step closer to beingrepeat champions. The score at halftime was 63-36 in favor of the Heat. Even the Thunder's 24-12 third quarter only shrunk the Heat lead to 15, and a small run by the Heat in the fourth quarter put the game away. The ending score was 95-78.
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Sports analysts everyone believed that the series was truly over after Game 5. ESPN analyst Magic Johnson said "Durant and the Thunder have done their best, but I cannot see them turning this series around" before Game 6. When Game 6 started, The Thunder were able to take a small lead, and Erik Spoelstra placed Wade at the point. However, Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks decided to use counter this and play Durant at the four and run a 1-4 pick and roll that got Wade into foul trouble. Both teams switched baskets during the next two quarters. When the fourth quarter started with a small Thunder lead, Durant showed, again, why he is one of the greatest scorers to ever play the game. He scored 17 of the Thunder 20 fourth quarter points, including the buzzer-beating game-winning three. The final score was 89-88/..
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The hype going into Game 7 was crazy. The Heat had shown dominance in their three wins, but Kevin Durant and the rest of his teammates had proved that they could win without Westbrook. As the game tipped off, neither team showed any sign that they were going to give the game away. The first quarter ended 21-19 Thunder. In the second quarter, LeBron James was able to create several fast break opportunities, and the Heat went into the half with a two point advantage. The third quarter was back and forth by both teams. The Heat would score, and the Thunder would score. The Heat would get a stop, but so would the Thunder. Up until this point, Durant had been shouldering the load for the Thunder. However, in the fourth quarter, OKC PF Serge Ibaka stepped up. He emphatically swatted five blocks in the Final quarter of the series, which was a major reason that Thunder outscored the Heat 30-20 in the fourth quarter, and won the game 93-88.
Finals MVP
32 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.4 APG,1.8 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 48.7% FG%, 42% 3PT%
"It feels great to the be an NBA Champion. I'm sad I couldn't share the court Russell, but I know this isn't going to be my only championship, and I know he'll be on the court with me for the next one. I was tired of being second in the past. Now that I'm first, I will never look back."
Last edited by chinatownpwnage; 05-03-2013 at 10:24 PM.
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