The Miami Heat returned to the AT&T Center to face the San Antonio Spurs for the final time in the regular season. In the last meeting, the Spurs walked away with a victory in the American Airlines Arena, led by Kawhi Leonard. Heading into the game, both teams were stagnant when it came to defending home court, not to mention looking for a much needed victory.
In the first quarter, Derrick Williams and Josh Richardson got Miami on the board quickly with a pair of jump shots, but the Spurs would go on to score ten unanswered points until Hassan Whiteside would end the scoring run with a slam dunk. San Antonio would answer back with scoring from Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Pau Gasol as the Spurs led 15 to 8. Kawhi Leonard also helped out on the scoring end for the Spurs, while Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters did the same for the Heat. With San Antonio leading 21 to 12, the Heat continued to struggle with their offense, while Leonard scored a pair of free throws. Eventually, Miami would get out of the slump a bit as James Johnson, Winslow, and Rodney McGruder would bring the Heat within six as the first quarter ended 25 to 19 in San Antonio’s favor.
In the second quarter, the Spurs went on a 12 to 2 run, led by Patty Mills, David Lee, and Manu Ginobili. The Heat’s offense continued to flounder as Gasol scored another basket for the Spurs, but Tyler Johnson would try to jumpstart the Heat’s offense with a few baskets of his own. With the Spurs leading 39 to 24, Danny Green would get his first points on the board with a three-pointer for San Antonio, followed by more scoring from Aldridge, who had been consistent throughout the contest. Miami answered back with scoring from Dion Waiters and Whiteside. By halftime, San Antonio led 55 to 40.
Into the third quarter, Richardson and Whiteside made some quick baskets for Miami, but San Antonio responded back with Gasol and Tony Parker on the scoring end. With San Antonio leading 61 to 41, Richardson and Whiteside continued scoring for the Heat, not to mention having contributions from Williams, Tyler Johnson, and Winslow. San Antonio managed to hold on to their lead by the end of third quarter with a 71 to 60 lead.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the Heat would go on a ten to two run, led by Waiters and James Johnson. With the Spurs ahead 73 to 66, Leonard would add more points for the Spurs as they now led 78 to 66. Afterwards, the Heat would go on a 15 to 6 run, led by Waiters. The Heat looked to rally late into the game, but the Spurs held on to a 94 to 90 victory to close out the regular season series.
The Heat have now dropped five in a row since their last win against the Sacramento Kings. Among the things that ruined Miami’s momentum were their lack of offense in the first half. It was completely nonexistent, especially at the three-point line.
Another factor would have to be LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge was near perfect throughout the contest with his scoring, so much as though, it seemed like his shots were always uncontested, along with Kawhi Leonard’s.
On the flip side, Miami’s defense was perhaps the only bright spot for them. Miami forced the Spurs into committed 17 turnovers, the most for them this season.
”You have to give them credit,” Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. ”They played great defense in the second half. They played with more energy and they played more physical. We have to find a solution next time.”
For the Heat, Dion Waiters had 27 points, Tyler Johnson with 11 points, and Hassan Whiteside with a double-double of 23 points and 17 rebounds.
For the Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points, Pau Gasol with 12 points, Tony Parker scored 11 points, Patty Mills recorded 10 points, and Kawhi Leonard with a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds.
The Miami Heat return back home to take on division rival Atlanta Hawks. That game starts tonight at 7:30pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.
The Heat Check Magazine 