Heat vs. Spurs, NBA Finals 2014 Game 5: Time, TV schedule, radio and more
The Spurs are one game away from capturing the NBA championship. Can the Heat extend the series in San Antonio?
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The San Antonio Spurs hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat and have a chance to close out the championship series at home on Sunday. San Antonio has dominated the Heat since the series shifted to Miami, averaging a 20-point margin of victory in Games 3 and 4. No team has ever come back from going down 3-1 in the NBA Finals.
The Spurs’ offense has been precise, patiently picking apart the Heat’s defense. San Antonio’s variety of ball-handlers repeatedly driving into the teeth of the Heat’s defense has created open shot opportunities. Miami’s high-pressure defense has been unorganized while San Antonio forces them into constant motion.
Heat on the ropes
This will be the first NBA Finals where the new homecourt advantage format will be exercised and it could be a determining factor. The NBA's decision to schedule the Finals the same as the rest of the playoffs sends the series back to San Antonio for Game 5 instead of holding three straight games in Miami. San Antonio has only lost two home games through its entire playoff run, dropping a game to the Dallas Mavericks along with Game 2 to the Heat. The last time the Spurs lost back-to-back home games in the playoffs was in 2010 against the Phoenix Suns.
The defending champion Heat haven't lost back-to-back playoff games since losing three straight to the Boston Celtics in 2012. A loss would drop their NBA Finals record to 2-2 leading into a summer where each of their "Big Three" players have the option to test free agency.
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Announcers: Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Radio: ESPN Radio, WOAI 1200 AM, KCOR 1350 AM, WAXY 790 AM/104.3 FM
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