The San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat will battle it out in a rematch of 2013’s NBA Finals on Thursday night in San Antonio. This will mark the first finals rematch since 1998 when Chicago beat Utah for the last of Michael Jordan’s six championships.
San Antonio will be hosting the first two games, followed by two games in Miami. If Game Five is in order, it will be played in San Antonio, and Miami will host Game Six. The possible Game Seven will be held in San Antonio.
Just after the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six (112-107 in overtime), Spur’s Tim Duncan stated in a brief interview that he and his team are ready for the finals rematch against the Miami Heat.
“It’s unbelievable to regain that focus after that devastating loss that we had last year,” said Duncan. “But we’re back here. We’re excited about it. We’ve got four more to win. We’ll do it this time.”
He continued, “We’re happy it’s the Heat again. We’ve got that bad taste in our mouths still.”
Miami eliminated Indiana from the East Finals Friday night in Game Six. “The two best teams will meet,” said Heat guard Dwyane Wade on the upcoming finals rematch against the Spurs. “We’re just happy and excited that we’re one of the best.”
It’s the sixth trip to the Finals for San Antonio, which won titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
The Heat are heading to the Finals for the fourth straight season and fifth time overall, beating Dallas in 2006, losing to the Mavericks in 2011, then topping Oklahoma City in 2012 and the Spurs last season.
Predictions for this series’ seven games are a bit difficult considering that both teams have been the two best in the league for the past two years. The Spurs have been proving their skills, being one of the strongest teams this season yet. Miami, however, have the best big three players in the NBA that include Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and their number one most notable – LeBron James.
“They wanted this, they wanted us and we will be ready for the challenge,” James said Monday.
There have been predictions circulating for the last two games specifically. For Game Six, USA TODAY Sports’ team have predicted that the Miami Heat will take the win. However, all bets are on the San Antonio Spurs to celebrate in victory for Game Seven. The Spurs are coming back with full vengeance ready to beat Miami. This time around they’ll have the home court advantage.
Series Schedule
- Game 1: Thursday, June 5 at San Antonio, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 2: Sunday, June 8 at San Antonio, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 3: Tuesday, June 10 at Miami, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 4: Thursday, June 12 at Miami, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 5: Sunday, June 15 at San Antonio, 8 p.m. ET, ABC*
- Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 at Miami, 9 p.m. ET, ABC*
- Game 7: Friday, June 20 at San Antonio, 9 p.m. ET, ABC*
- * – If Necessary
Magic Johnson has been tweeting his thoughts about the upcoming finals rematch between the Heat and the Spurs.
I personally like that the Spurs & Heat don’t like each other. It will make the NBA Finals exciting!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 3, 2014
The Heat & Spurs are the best defensive teams, best passing teams and the teams with the highest basketball IQ. #HeatSpurs #NBAFinals — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 2, 2014
What are your predictions? Which team will rise as the ultimate champions?
