For the first time in the 2014 postseason, the Miami Heat have lost a home game. The San Antonio Spurs came ready for the road environment and never looked back. The Heat had one of their worst performances in the first half of Game 3 and San Antonio built a lead that could not be overcome. In need of taking one game at home, can the Heat tie things up before heading back out on the road?
The Spurs had their way with the Heat defense in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. They made 19 of their first 21 shots. They shot 75.8 percent in the first half to get the 111-92 win. The game was a mirror image to last season, ending in a bit of blowout and putting the Heat down 2-1. However, the end result did not go in favor of the Spurs last year, something they are eager to change this season. Because of what happened last season, the Spurs are careful not to give themselves the edge in this battle.
Miami has some things to change before Game 4. A loss on Thursday means they risk losing the whole thing on the road in Game 5. Their defense was sliced to pieces in Game 3 and their offense was not much better. Chris Bosh had four shot attempts in Game 3 after putting up 18 points in the first two games. LeBron James committed seven of the Heat's 20 turnovers. Mario Chalmers is just 3 for 12 in the finals.
The stat working in the Heat's favor is that they have won 13 straight games coming off a loss in the postseason. Last year, they exchanged the blowout in Game 4 and aim to do the same this year. In the NBA Finals, no team has overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the championship. The Miami Heat would like to not be the first, simply by getting the series tied on Thursday. The Spurs are out for vengeance though and that might play the biggest role.
