2013 NBA Finals

• 1. Series Overview And Context

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  The 2013 NBA Finals began on June 6 and concluded on the 20th of June 2013. This best-of-seven championship series featured the defending champion Miami Heat against the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs. The Heat entered with a league-best regular season record of 66 wins and 16 losses. They held home-court advantage throughout the seven-game battle. The series ended when Miami defeated San Antonio to win their second consecutive title. LeBron James earned his second straight Finals Most Valuable Player award. He averaged 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists across the series. Four former MVPs played in this matchup: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, and James himself. This marked the most former champions since 1987. The Spurs suffered their first Finals loss in franchise history during these games.

• 2. Team Backgrounds And Playoffs

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  San Antonio finished the regular season with 58 wins and claimed first place in the Southwest Division. They were the second overall seed in the Western Conference. The team swept the Los Angeles Lakers in four games during the first round. They eliminated the Golden State Warriors in six games for the conference semifinals. A sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies followed in the Western Conference finals. The Heat posted 66 wins and took first place in the Southeast Division. They were the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee was swept by Miami in four games early on. Chicago fell to the Heat in five games during the second round. Indiana required seven games before the Heat advanced to the Finals. Both teams entered the championship series having won multiple rounds without dropping a single game until later stages.

• 3. Game One Through Four Analysis

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  Tony Parker scored on a bank shot with 5.2 seconds remaining to give San Antonio Game 1 victory. He recorded 21 points and 6 assists while LeBron James logged a triple-double with 18 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists. Dwyane Wade scored 17 points but was shut out in the final period. Miami evened the series in Game 2 with a 33, 5 run over the last two quarters. Mario Chalmers scored 19 points and Ray Allen added 13 during that stretch. The Spurs bounced back in Game 3 by setting a Finals record with 16 three-pointers made. Gary Neal hit six-of-ten attempts for 24 points while Danny Green contributed 27 points. Mike Miller made all five of his three-point shots for Miami in that loss. Game 4 saw the Big Three combine for 85 points as James led with 33 and Wade added 32. Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 20 points but Parker provided no offense after halftime. The series stood tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5.

• 4. The Headband Game Drama

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  Game 6 became known as The Headband Game after James lost his signature accessory early in the fourth quarter. Fans and media outlets began dubbing it this way when he did not wear another headband for the rest of the game. The Heat trailed 75, 65 at the end of the third quarter before James sparked a 20, 7 run. With one sock and one shoe, Mike Miller received a pass from James and sank a three-pointer to pull Miami within four points. The score reached 94, 89 with 28.2 seconds remaining in regulation. LeBron James missed a three-pointer but the ball stayed in play until Ray Allen stepped backward and made a three-point basket from the right corner with 5.2 seconds left. That shot tied the game and forced overtime. In extra time, Allen stripped Manu Ginóbili of the ball on his way up for a shot. He then made both free throws to put Miami ahead 103, 100 with 1.9 seconds left. Chris Bosh blocked a potential game-tying attempt by Danny Green to force Game 7. James recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.

• 5. Championship Deciding Seventh Game

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  LeBron James scored 37 points including five three-pointers to lead Miami to a 95, 88 victory in Game 7. He grabbed 12 rebounds while Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds. Shane Battier contributed 18 points on six three-pointers to offset quiet nights from Chris Bosh and Ray Allen. The Spurs trailed by just two with 50 seconds remaining after a three-point shot by Kawhi Leonard. Tim Duncan missed a shot under the basket guarded by Shane Battier followed by a failed tip-in attempt. James hit a 17-foot jumper that secured the championship win. This marked the Heat's second consecutive NBA title. James tied Tommy Heinsohn's record set in 1957 for most points in an NBA Finals Game 7 win. He won his second straight Finals MVP award. Tracy McGrady played 14 minutes across two games before retiring in August 2013. This was the last professional sports championship in the Big 4 leagues for Miami until 2024.

• 6. Records And Statistical Milestones

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  The series featured ten international players on either roster setting a new record. LeBron James became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1991 to have two triple-doubles in one Finals series. San Antonio made 42 of 70 shots in Game 5 becoming the first team to shoot at least 60 percent in an NBA Finals game since 2009. Danny Green broke the all-time record for three-pointers in a Finals series with six made in Game 5. Ray Allen had previously held that record from 2008. The Spurs lost their first Finals game ever during this seven-game battle. The Heat won both regular season meetings against San Antonio including a 105, 100 victory on the 29th of November 2012. A $250,000 fine was levied against the Spurs by commissioner David Stern for not informing the league about resting four starters. Game 6 received the 2013 ESPY award for Best Game on the 17th of July 2013. This was the final Finals under the 2, 3, 2 format before changing to 2, 2, 1, 1, 1 starting in 2014.