Turning up the Heat: A trip down Miami memory lane

Memorable: 2013 NBA Finals

I mean, how could it not be? Is there any other moment other than James’ tour-de-force Game 6 in Boston, that amounts to this?

But my choice was based on more factors than that. This series, which spanned about two weeks, was an absolute roller coaster ride, and took to me to incredible highs, as well as gut-wrenching lows.

From Tony Parker’s game-sealing floater in Game 1, to James’ series clinching 17-footer with under 30 seconds remaining in Game 7, I remember where I was and how I was feeling.

I remember the rush of adrenaline and jubilation I felt, after the Heat used a big second half run to put away San Antonio in Game 2. Then, I remember getting blown out by 36 points at the AT&T Center in front of a raucous home crowd a few days later.

Then came Game 4, and this was one of the more memorable ones. Down 2-1 with two games in Texas remaining, the Heat were in a must-win situation. Going down 3-1 against a red-hot team with one game remaining on its home floor, does not make for an ideal scenario.

It felt like fortunes were heading in that direction early, as the Spurs built an early 10-point lead, while Miami seemed to be reeling. Then Wade, who had logged just 43 total points during the first three games, had looked gassed and had hampered knee injuries, came alive.

Up until that point, many critics were pointing the finger at him for Miami’s 2-1 hole, and slight comparison’s to James’ first tenure in Cleveland (where he had little assistance), were beginning to arise.

His final stat-line was unforgettable, and his impact in the fourth quarter was reminiscent of his days as a young slasher; 32 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists in nearly 40 minutes. He shot 14-for-25 from the floor and made whomever tried to defend him during the fourth quarter look foolish, as the Heat evened the series at 2.

Game 5 brought more emotional lows as Manu Ginobili, who had been disastrous throughout the first four games, was inserted into the starting lineup for the biggest game of the season. He scored 25 points and led San Antonio to a crucial victory at home, giving them a 3-2 series lead heading back to Miami.

That’s when this series became one for the ages, and I’m fairly certain that any NBA fan will know what you mean when you say Heat-Spurs Game 6.

My focus has always been in the final quarter, where I feel this game was at its best.

The Spurs had a 10-point lead heading into the fourth, and seemed well on their way to hoisting another Larry O’Brien trophy in the Gregg Poppovich-Tim Duncan era.

But then the Heat slowly began chipping away, and before you knew it, they had a three-point lead with two minutes remaining. Then Parker broke down James, sized him up and shot a step-back 3 over the back-to-back MVP’s outretched arms.

Bottom, and my gut immediately went to my feet. Not this, not now. The Heat proceeded to miss on the other end, and Parker came back down and hit a floater in the lane to give the Spurs a two-point lead.

I can’t begin to describe the emotions that were overcoming me. On one hand, I was angry. How could this happen? Why now? Was last year a fluke? Then James turned it over, and Ginobili connected on both. There’s still a prayer, right?

Another turnover followed, and that’s when I called it quits. Ginobili split the pair while my head was buried in a couch pillow that was sitting in my lap. Being down by five in a potential closeout game with under 30 seconds left isn’t exactly encouraging.

Out of the timeout, James knocked down a 3 off of a Mike Miller rebound from his own miss just prior. Okay, there’s some life. At this point, I had some faith, but it was waivering.

Then 21-year-old Kawhi Leonard steps to the free throw line. He had been superb in that game, but the pressure proved too much for him at that point, as he rimmed out the first before knocking down the second.

We all remember what happened next, and James followed that with a 37-point, 12-rebound masterpiece in Game 7, to clinch Miami’s second straight title and final of the Big Three era.

The pure joy that overcame my body following that Game 6 are only matched but the thrill of watching Joe Flacco’s 70-yard Hail Mary to Jacoby Jones during the AFC Divisional Playoff game in January 2013.