Spurs freeze Heat, take 3-1 lead in NBA Finals
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) dribbles past Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1), during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals, Thursday, June 12, 2014, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
MANILA, Philippines—The San Antonio Spurs seized a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2014 NBA Finals after another masterful win over the Miami Heat, 107-86, on the road.
No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Spurs, who led by as many as 25 points after another solid start, also clobbered the Heat in game 3, 111-92, last Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Kawhi Leonard led San Antonio with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.
The Spurs can wrap up the title on Monday (Manila time) as the series shifts back to the AT&T center in San Antonio, where the Heat won game 2, 98-96.
Article continues after this advertisementAnd the Heat, who had never lost at home this playoffs before Wednesday, face the possibility of not returning to homecourt American Airlines Arena again this season.
It was the first time that the Heat had lost back-to-back games in the playoffs since the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.
LeBron James had 28 points for Miami and sparked a run in the third that trimmed the lead down to 13, but didn’t get enough help from the rest of the squad.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combined for 22 points for the Heat.
RELATED STORIES
Spurs clobber Heat in Miami for 2-1 lead in NBA Finals
