LeBron's Teammates Step Up In Game 2
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – On a night when NBA MVP LeBron James struggled from the field for much of the first three quarters, his Heat teammates came through in a big way to help the team tie the 2013 NBA Finals at one victory apiece.
From Chris Bosh to Chris Andersen and everyone in between, it was a big night for the starters and the reserves for the Miami Heat. Bosh came alive in the game shooting 60 percent from the field by moving inside the three-point line, which also helped him grab 10 rebounds, including four offensive rebounds in the game.
The Heat was led by point guard Mario Chalmers, who always saves his best games for the biggest stage. Chalmers had 19 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and behind the three-point line. Chalmers also added four rebounds and two assists to his numbers against the Spurs.
Perhaps more importantly, Chalmers stayed with Spurs All-Star point guard Tony Parker and limited him to just 5-14 shooting from the field. Parker finished the game with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and five assists.
The Heat's reserves also vastly outplayed the Spurs' backups throughout the game. Miami's Mike Miller, Ray Allen, Chris Andersen, and Norris Cole combined to score 33 points in Game 2. The Spurs' reserves managed just 15 points for the players inserted before garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Still, even when LeBron has what is considered for him to be a bad game, he makes contributions across the floor. From a momentum changing block of the Spurs' Tiago Splitter to a thunderous dunk to accent a massive 33-5 run, James did it all for the Heat after coming alive in the third quarter.
The NBA MVP finished the game with 17 points on 7-17 shooting and had 8 rebounds, 7 assists, three steals, and three blocked shots.
The Spurs will now head back to San Antonio after getting thoroughly humiliated by the Heat in Game 2. The series will play the next three games in Texas, meaning the Heat need to get at least one win in the Lonestar State to bring the series back home.
San Antonio will have to figure out how to stop the pick and roll when LeBron James is setting the screen; how to get the Heat's three-point shooters out of rhythm; and how to prevent the Heat from going on any sort of run during the game.
If San Antonio can solve those problems, the series will continue to be great drama. If the Spurs can't solve the riddle that is LeBron and the Heat, the next time Miami fans see their team could be in a parade through downtown.
