Heat defend NBA title after beating Spurs 4-3

June 21, 2013 04:01 pm | Updated 04:01 pm IST - Miami

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) defends during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball championships on Friday, in Miami. The Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win their second straight NBA championship.

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) defends during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball championships on Friday, in Miami. The Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win their second straight NBA championship.

Miami Heat outplayed four-time NBA champions San Antonio Spurs 95-88 at the NBA Finals Game 7, bagging their second straight NBA title by beating their opponents 4-3 after a tough series.

This is Miami’s third NBA title in last eight years. The defending champions survived a tough Game 6, in which they trailed by five points with 28 seconds left, only to accomplish an epic comeback in Game 7 Thursday night, reports Xinhua .

“This was the toughest series we’ve ever been in,” said Heat coach Eric Spoelstra.

“Our hats go off to the San Antonio Spurs, a class organisation, a champion team.”

LeBron James had 37 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat. He made a key jump shot with 27 seconds to go in the four quarter, sealing the victory for the host team. The 28-year-old star finished with regular season MVP, Finals MVP and the championships for a second straight season.

“He’s the best-conditioned athlete in this game,” said Spoelstra about James. “He takes pride and puts in so much time into it.”

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