NBA: Spurs stun Heat to take 2-1 series lead

San Antonio Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) shoots against Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh (1) during the first half at Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in San Antonio. AP

SAN ANTONIO—Gary Neal scored a playoff career-high 24 points as San Antonio authored a 23-8 run to start the third quarter and went on to rout Miami 113-77 in game three of the NBA finals on Tuesday.

The Spurs never trailed in the contest, seizing a 2-1 series lead as they gave the Heat a taste of their own medicine after Miami blew out San Antonio 103-84 in game two.

Danny Green scored a game-high 27 points and Kawhi Leonard finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four steals as San Antonio’s supporting cast bounced back with vengeance at home. Green went seven-of-nine from three-point range.

Tim Duncan finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds and Manu Ginobili had six assists for the Spurs, who are trying to win their fifth NBA title and first since 2007 when they knocked out a young Cleveland Cavaliers team led by LeBron James— now starring with the Heat.

History is now on the side of the Spurs as the game three winner in the NBA finals series that are split 1-1 has gone on to win the title 12 of the last 13 times.

Game four is Thursday night in San Antonio.

Once again James struggled on offense but this time he didn’t get much help from his reserves. James scored just four points in the first half and finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Dwyane Wade had 16 points and Mike Miller came off the bench to score 15 points for the Heat, who have not lost back-to-back games since early January.