Role Players Swing Game For Heat
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Coming into the deciding Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, everyone knew what to expect from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but it was the role players who would help swing the game for the Heat.
Shane Battier, who had struggled throughout most of the playoffs with his shot, suddenly came alive when it mattered most for the Miami Heat.
Battier finished the game playing more than 28 minutes and hit 6-8 from behind the three-point line finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, and one assist.
It wasn't just Battier though. The much-maligned Mario Chalmers also came through in a big way for the Heat in Games 6 and 7.
In Game 7, Chalmers was 6-15 from the field for 14 points and two assists. Even though Chalmers struggled from behind the three-point line, he harassed the Spurs' Tony Parker and kept driving to the basket throughout the game.
Finally, even though he didn't score a single point in the game, center Chris Bosh was crucial for the Heat to knock off the Spurs.
During his 28 minutes of game action, Bosh played great defense on the pick-and-roll and kept Tim Duncan in check, relatively speaking. Duncan scored 24 points, but was 8-18 from the field and got the majority of his pionts from the free throw line.
It's always a team effort with a little bit of luck thrown in to win an NBA championship and the Heat got plenty of both when it mattered the most in Game 7.
Complete 2013 NBA Championship Coverage:
- Spoelstra Overcomes It All To Become A Champ Again
- Wade Etches Name In NBA History
- Heat Championship Parade Set For Monday
- Miami Completes The Heat-Peat, 95-88
- LeBron Wins 2nd Straight NBA Finals MVP
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