LeBron dominates by scoring less
THE NBA may no longer have to resort to a new script other than the one used in the previous Eastern Conference Finals playoffs.
If there’s something truly new and startling in the current series, it was the plot used by the Miami Heat in striking back and tying up the crown race.
This came to the fore yesterday.
In an NBA title series that has started to center on two main standouts, Tony Parker, hero of Game 1 for San Antonio, was nowhere when the Spurs got spanked by Miami via a 103-84 rout.
* * *
It’s, of course, a bit odd that Miami vital cog LeBron James himself did not figure magnificently in scoring as the Heat leveled the 2013 NBA Finals playoffs at 1-all.
James, for one, scored only on one of his first 13 attempts and finished with 17 points, two fewer than top-scoring Mario Chalmers.
That below-par output, however, did not in any way weaken the dam-burst onslaught that peaked with a 33-5 Miami run starting midway in the third quarter and which, by the way, was punctuated by a crushing above-the-ring stoppage of a Tiago Splitter slam by James.
James did not have to say it, but it has become clear he could still dominate and win by scoring less.
* * *
Said the New York Times: “His (James) box-score totals did not leap off the page. His most memorable play was a block that merely provided a final exclamation point on the rout.”
But both strong and subtle, NY Times explained, James was still the driving force as the Heat tied the championship series.
The NBA Finals series moves to San Antonio starting Wednesday (Manila time).
It’s now the turn of the stunned Spurs to reinvigorate the Finals after they got blown off the court in Game 2.
* * *
Coach Greg Popovich, who took Game 1 by planting intangibles all over the floor, can only be expected to lean on the homecourt advantage.
At least, Popovich did not have to be told that holding down James can no longer provide a vouch for a San Antonio victory.
“What I do know is sharing the ball is contagious,” James bared postgame with evident humility.
James has also started to enjoy being pressed hard.
“That way, it allows everyone to feel involved with the offense,” he said.
