MidValleySports.Com

Steven Mercado

By Steven Mercado

The Heat are down by three and have the ball. As the clock winds down, LeBron James takes a three from the left wing with 11 seconds left in the game. He misses and Chris Bosh grabs the offensive board and kicks it out to a backpedaling Ray Allen, who catches it in the right corner, rises up over Tony Parker’s close out, launches the three and buries it.

This big shot brought Game 6 into overtime and the Heat took it from there to win 103-100 and force a Game 7.

For those that are blaming the referees, you are wasting your time. That play at the end of regulation where Manu Ginobili drove to the basket was not a foul because if you look closely, the defender got nothing but the ball. Danny Green’s shot at the end of overtime was a clean block by Bosh. No blame should be placed on the officials for the game’s outcome.

The San Antonio Spurs had this game won and they let it slip through their hands. To be up by 10 at the beginning of the fourth quarter and let that lead go in a game that could have been the greatest way for Tim Duncan and Ginobili to end their careers.

Yes, LeBron’s triple-double with 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds was spectacular and he exploded in the fourth quarter with 16 points. However, LeBron had two turnovers late in the fourth that made things scarier than they needed to be.

Maybe the last-second shots should be drawn up for Allen rather than James.

I am not taking anything away from LeBron. His headband-less performance was one to be remembered, especially if they take the title tonight. But, I think it is obvious that Allen hits the big shots when they are needed and LeBron has been…shaky at best.

I will not go as far as saying he should continue to play without the headband. I do not believe in superstition.

In this series, I also do not believe in momentum.

If you look at the way the series has panned out, neither team has won back-to-back games. Just when it seemed that the Spurs could not be stopped after Game 3, the Heat shut them down in Game 4. It looks like the Heat have all of the momentum coming into Game 7, but in reality, the trophy will go to whichever team plays the better game.

The Spurs will probably not get another 30 point, 17 rebound performance from Tim Duncan. They may not get another 22-point performance from Kawhi Leonard. This means the Spurs need great performances from both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, along with good production from their role players. I think this is possible, especially in a Game 7 where it is win or go home.

Both teams have proved they belong in the Finals; both teams have proved they are worthy; both teams have shot down every aspect of my prediction unless the Spurs end up victorious. After tonight, the team that wants it the most will be celebrating as the champions of the world.