"We got a little bit lucky in Game 1. Sometimes that's what it takes to win games," said Tony Parker after hitting one of the most memorable shots in NBA Finals history.
The elderly Spurs withstood a great effort from the Miami Heat, and in particular LeBron James, who recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in a brutal loss. With the game drawing to a close and the Spurs up by two points, Parker, being guarded by James, ran around in circles looking for an opening to no avail. He then stumbled, lost the rock, got it back, got to his feet and heaved a Hail Mary of a bank shot that bounced off the backboard, off the front of the rim and through the net. The shot gave San Antonio a 92-88 lead, which would be the final score.
Parker was magnificent in leading his team to victory, scoring 21 points to go with six assists, two steals, and zero turnovers. The turnover bit may be the most important part, allowing the older, slower Spurs to limit Miami's tremendous transition game.
The Spurs have clearly heard their detractors use the team's collective age as a reason they can't compete with the Heat. "It doesn't matter how we're categorized -- old, veterans, whatever you call us, we're in the mix," Tim Duncan said. Duncan finished the night with 20 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Danny Green, far from old, helped the winning effort too, giving the Spurs 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting; every shot attempt was from behind the 3-point line. Kawhi Leonard, another youthful wing, struggled with his shot but gave the Spurs a great effort nonetheless, racking up 10 points and 10 rebounds.
James, who has experience with Finals losses to the Spurs, said, "The Spurs are the Spurs. They're going to put you in positions where you feel uncomfortable offensively and defensively, and every time you make a mistake, they're going to capitalize on it."
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