Spurs win Game 5 114-104; move within one win of NBA title


Back and forth we go in the 2013 Finals.

The Spurs won Game 1. Miami bounced back in Game 2. San Antonio took Game 3. The Heat tied things in Game 4. Now the Spurs have once again taken a series lead, knocking off the Heat 114-104 in Game 5, and putting the Heat's backs against the wall as the series returns to Miami.

Manu Ginobili rose from the dead, scoring 24 points, nearly equaling his entire output from Games 1-4 combined (30 points). Danny Green continued to make his case for Finals MVP (wait..what?), scoring 24 points (6-10 from deep) and setting a new Finals record with 25 threes made (beating Ray Allen's record of 22 set in 2008).

San Antonio now looks to end the series in South Beach, and hand LeBron James his 3rd Finals loss. Meanwhile, Miami will try and pull a 2010 Lakers (sorry, I went there) and win both games at home after falling behind 3 games to 2.

It will be tough for the Spurs to clinch in Miami, but keep in mind, Dallas was able to pull it off in 2011, so it's not uncharted waters for Miami to fall. However, the odds seem stacked against San Antonio in Game 6, as Miami has not lost back to back games since January 9th, a span of over 5 months.

But if Ginobili can match his Game 5 output, that streak could end. Right along side the Heat's run as champions.

Other Notes

- All 5 Spurs starters shot over 50%, with Green's 52% the lowest in the group

- Tim Duncan (17 points, 12 boards) leads all players in double-doubles this post-season

- Ray Allen (21 points, 7-10 FG, 4-4 3 PT FG) had his best game of the finals

- The Heat bench outscored the Spurs bench 31-7, but Miami still lost by double figures

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