They were down 10 in the fourth quarter of that one before James led the charge back, finishing with a triple-double in Miami’s 103-100 overtime victory. This one was nearly as tight, neither team leading by more than seven and the game tied 11 times.
Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs, who had been 4 for 4 in the championship round. Ginobili had 18 points but Parker managed just 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting.
“Just give credit to the Miami Heat. LeBron was unbelievable. Dwyane was great. I just think they found a way to get it done,” Duncan said. “We stayed in the game. We gave ourselves opportunities to win the game, we just couldn’t turn that corner.”
The Heat and coach Erik Spoelstra collected the Larry O’Brien trophy again from Commissioner David Stern, presiding over his last NBA Finals before retiring next February.
He couldn’t have asked for a better way to go out.
James avenged his first finals loss, when his Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the Spurs on 2007. That helped send James on his way to South Florida, realizing it would take more help to win titles that could never come alone.
He said he would appreciate this one more because of how tough it was. The Heat overpowered Oklahoma City in five games last year, a team of 20-something kids who weren’t ready to be champions yet.
This came against a respected group of Spurs whose trio has combined for more than 100 playoff victories together and wanted one more in case this was San Antonio’s last rodeo.
Duncan is 37 and Ginobili will be a 36-year-old free agent next month, the core of a franchise whose best days may be behind them.
Meanwhile, it’s a potential dynasty along Biscayne Bay, but also one with a potentially small window. Wade’s latest knee problems are a reminder that though he came into the NBA at the same time as James and Bosh 10 years ago, he’s a couple of years older at 31 with wheels that have seen some miles.
James can become a free agent again next summer with another decision — though hopefully not another “Decision” — to make. He’s comfortable in Miami and close with Wade, and the Heat have the leadership and commitment from owner Micky Arison and president Pat Riley to keep building a championship core around him.
Why would he want to leave?
“This team is amazing,” James said. “And the vision that I had when I decided to come here is all coming true.”
Notes: Home teams are 15-3 in Game 7s of the NBA Finals. … Miami improved to 5-3 all-time in Game 7s in the postseason and became the fourth team to win the final two games at home since the finals went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985, joining the Lakers in 1988 and 2010, and Houston Rockets in 1994. … Green was just 1 for 12, going 1 for 6 behind the arc. He started the series by making 25 3s in the first five games, a finals record for an entire series.
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