Fans can watch streaming video of the the Spurs vs. Heat in Game 5 and see whether San Antonio can do what it failed so spectacularly at last year — closing out the Heat.
In the 2013 NBA Finals, the Spurs had a 3-2 series lead and a big lead going into the final minute against the Miami Heat in Game 6, but a three-point barrage from LeBron James and Ray Allen allowed Miami to storm back, winning the game and then taking the series in the next game.
But this year San Antonio has put together a much stronger effort, taking a 3-1 series lead on the strength of blowouts in games 1, 3, and 4. The Spurs have owned Miami on almost every front, shooting the lights out from the floor and stifling Dwyane Wade to keep the Heat in check. While James has managed strong play, his teammates continue to struggle.
“They smashed us,” James said. “Two straight home games got off to awful starts. They came in and were much better than us in these last two games. It’s just that simple.”
Fans can watch Game 5 live online as the Spurs try to close out the Heat at home. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday at 8 pm.
The Spurs aren’t taking their first three wins in the 2014 NBA Finals for granted, knowing how hard it is to finish out a series.
“I’m pleased that they performed as well as they did while we’ve been in Miami, and that’s about as far as it goes,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Now we’ve got to go back home and play as well or better.”
But it’s something the Spurs have done many times before under Popovich, with three NBA titles in the last 11 years.
There is a chance that the game could be the last for both Popovich and Tim Duncan. There is increasing speculation that the Spurs coach may opt for retirement if the team wins its fifth overall championship.
The 38-year-old Duncan, a sure Hall of Famer, also has a June 24 deadline on his player option.
Insiders believe that it’s likely both Popovich and Duncan will be back the Spurs, but say anything is on the table if the team can finish out the series and win another NBA championship.
