The San Antonio Spurs put on another dominating display on Thursday to move within a victory of dethroning the two-time NBA Champs.
Kawhi Leonard had 20 points with 14 rebounds, Frenchman Tony Parker netted 19 and the Spurs spanked the Miami Heat 107-86 on Thursday night for a commanding 3-1 advantage in the NBA Finals.
San Antonio can wrap up their fifth crown at home on Sunday night and deny the Heat a third straight title with history on its side No team has dug themselves out of a 3-1 deficit to win a Championship.
Australian Patty Mills tossed in 14 points off the bench, while Tim Duncan contributed 10 with 11 boards for the Spurs, who led by as many as 25 and shot a sizzling 57 per cent from the field in the beat-down.
LeBron James scored 28 points, Chris Bosh added 12 for the Heat, which had its streak snapped of 13 straight playoff wins following a loss.
The San Antonio didn’t shoot nearly as well as their Finals-record 76 per cent in the first half of Tuesday’s 118-92 Game 3 blowout but still got off to another fast start.
Displaying sparkling offensive execution, the Spurs hit a torrid 56 per cent from the field en route to a 55-36 advantage at the break behind a dozen points from Parker, as the stunned Heat fans booed their heroes at the sold out American Airlines Arena.
The Spurs played solid defence, as well, holding the Heat to anemic 35 per cent field shooting (12-of-34) led by James’ nine points.
James tried to bring the Heat back with 19 third-quarter points but the unselfish Spurs continued to execute.
The Silver and Black carried an 81-57 cushion into the final frame and coasted home with its second stunner.
